Port forwarding through modem and router

[MisterTaur]

So I've tried port forwarding before and it worked, but I've since changed my setup and now I have a modem connected to a router and it doesn't seem to work anymore. When I used to use only the modem it worked as a wireless router but I believe the signal was too weak for other devices so we got a Tenda router.
Now I'm looking for a way to change some settings or change the setup in order to be able to port forward again. Keep in mind I know only the basics. I'm willing to ditch the router if it is causing these issues.

 

[kanewolf]

It sounds like your "modem" isn't just a modem. It is a combo modem/router. S9ou you would have to portforward on the modem/router to your new router and your new router would have to portforward to your end host.

You should check the user's manual for your modem/router to see if it can be used in a bridged mode. That would avoid having to portforward twice.

 

[MisterTaur]

It sounds like your "modem" isn't just a modem. It is a combo modem/router. S9ou you would have to portforward on the modem/router to your new router and your new router would have to portforward to your end host.

You should check the user's manual for your modem/router to see if it can be used in a bridged mode. That would avoid having to portforward twice.

How would I port forward from modem to router, which IP and port should I use, and what would the end host IP and port be?

 

[failboat]

Port forwarding is used to reach hosts behind NATs. You have two NATs now.

It's ideal to only have one.

A few options are to put your modem into passthrough mode and setup portforwarding on the new router or to configuring the new router as a wireless access point, eg no NAT, no DHCP, no firewall.

 

[MisterTaur]

Port forwarding is used to reach hosts behind NATs. You have two NATs now.

It's ideal to only have one.

A few options are to put your modem into passthrough mode and setup portforwarding on the new router or to configuring the new router as a wireless access point, eg no NAT, no DHCP, no firewall.

I'm not too tech savvy so I would probably need step by step help to do it, but I can try turning it into a access point.

 

[failboat]

Port forwarding is used to reach hosts behind NATs. You have two NATs now.

It's ideal to only have one.

A few options are to put your modem into passthrough mode and setup portforwarding on the new router or to configuring the new router as a wireless access point, eg no NAT, no DHCP, no firewall.

I'm not too tech savvy so I would probably need step by step help to do it, but I can try turning it into a access point.

Try logging into it and seeing if it has any mode types.

Some of them will let you select WAP and it changes all the settings needed.

If you're still in the window to return it. You probably only needed a WAP in the first place, Unifi one's are great. Lot's of wireless routers have the WAP feature.

 

[MisterTaur]

Port forwarding is used to reach hosts behind NATs. You have two NATs now.

It's ideal to only have one.

A few options are to put your modem into passthrough mode and setup portforwarding on the new router or to configuring the new router as a wireless access point, eg no NAT, no DHCP, no firewall.

I'm not too tech savvy so I would probably need step by step help to do it, but I can try turning it into a access point.

Try logging into it and seeing if it has any mode types.

Some of them will let you select WAP and it changes all the settings needed.

If you're still in the window to return it. You probably only needed a WAP in the first place, Unifi one's are great. Lot's of wireless routers have the WAP feature.

I've tried removing the router entirely and only using the modem but the issue persists. But it can't be double NAT can it? I have friends from the same town under the same ISP that are able to port forward without issues.

 

[kanewolf]

What you should try is to configure your second router as an access point rather than a router. Here is the sticky on how to do that -- http://www.tomshardware.com/forum/36406-43-convert-wireless-router-wireless-access-point

If the second router is an access point rather than a router, then you don't have to port forward through it. This is what @failboat said above.
With it configured as an access point, you would have only one router in your network.

 

[MisterTaur]

What you should try is to configure your second router as an access point rather than a router. Here is the sticky on how to do that -- http://www.tomshardware.com/forum/36406-43-convert-wireless-router-wireless-access-point

If the second router is an access point rather than a router, then you don't have to port forward through it. This is what @failboat said above.
With it configured as an access point, you would have only one router in your network.

I have successfully turned it into an access point, but the issue still remains, my port still isn't being forwarded.

 

[kanewolf]

You now only have to forward from your ISP router to your final destination. The exact steps for that will be in the user's manual for your ISP router.

 

[kanewolf]

MERGED QUESTION
Question from MisterTaur : "Help with port forwarding with a modem and a router"

So I've tried port forwarding before and it worked, but I've since changed my setup and now I have a modem connected to a router through ethernet and it doesn't seem to work anymore. When I used to use only the modem it worked as a wireless router but I believe the signal was too weak for other devices so we got a Tenda router.
Now I'm looking for a way to change some settings or change the setup in order to be able to port forward again. Keep in mind I know only the basics. I'm willing to ditch the router if it is causing these issues.

Any help is appreciated and I'll try to respond when I'm home.

First off, make sure you're not running a double NAT.
Second, contact your ISP and ask them about putting their modem in 'bridged mode' (it's most likely a modem/router/wireless all-in-one). This would allow you to control all your port forwards from the new Tenda router. Note that some ports are limited by ISPs. Sometimes you have to specifically have them, on their end, open up ports like 25 or 80.
You could also try turning off DHCP on the Tenda router and using just the switch side of it (don't use the internet port) but if it were me I would just bridge the ISP's modem.

First off, make sure you're not running a double NAT.
Second, contact your ISP and ask them about putting their modem in 'bridged mode' (it's most likely a modem/router/wireless all-in-one). This would allow you to control all your port forwards from the new Tenda router. Note that some ports are limited by ISPs. Sometimes you have to specifically have them, on their end, open up ports like 25 or 80.
You could also try turning off DHCP on the Tenda router and using just the switch side of it (don't use the internet port) but if it were me I would just bridge the ISP's modem.

I might be running double NAT, but how would I go on about that if that is the case? I'd consider contacting the ISP for bridging as the last resort since in my country they are so incompetent it would take me a long time to get to someone who understands these things. Would they have to come to my house or would they be able to do it remotely?

 

[MisterTaur]

You now only have to forward from your ISP router to your final destination. The exact steps for that will be in the user's manual for your ISP router.

I've done exactly that, but when I try to connect to the server or when I go to canyouseeme.org the results are still the same as before.

 

[failboat]

Have you made sure the host has the proper static ip? Dynamically assigning it via DHCP using the mac address works well. The router might not accept a self appointed static. The host can't have a firewall blocking that port either.

Another thing to compare is the modems/router wan assigned ip against a website that shows your ip. The ISP might be running a NAT.