Some questions: Single IP, many computers, server

[Sahnik]

Alright, now I don' think this is the usual how do I hook up more than one computer to a single IP question before you tell me to search.

I have about 6 computers all using 1 IP address to access the internet through a router provided by the DSL company. My problem is that I need to be able to access one of the computers from the outside for an FTP Server. I imagine this can be done in the router by sending data that is coming in to a specific port to a specific computer, but I would prefer not to have to call the DSL company as it's hard to get to talk to anyone who has a clue.

Also, last time I called them they gave me another IP address. Suffice it to say, I couldn't get this to work either accessing the internet, or the internal network, both of which are needed.


Anyway, if it is possible to do that in the router I guess I'll call the DSL company and see if I can talk to anyone who can do that.

Hope I provided enough info.


Thanks,
Jim

 

[Hoober]

Just open the FTP server and set it to use the default port (21). Then open the router config menu, forward ports 21 and 20 (for data connection) to the internal IP address of the computer running the FTP server and you'll be all set. You can also do this by setting a specific port you want to use on the FTP server and then opening that port and the port one number below the specified port. Of course, your clients are going to have to know the new port on which to connect or else nobody will be able to access the server.

 

[Sahnik]

Well that's pretty much what I figured. Unfortunately I don't have access to the router so I'm going to have to have the DSL company do it.

 

[Paulson]

I wonder how willing they would be to open the port, because most ISP's don't like people running servers on their networks (due to bandwidth)

What kind of router do you have?