Just what could be affected by disabling UPnP?

[andyross]

With the talk of some recent exploits, I'm wondering just what really requires UPnP. I've tried reading up, but am a bit confused about any consequences of disabling it. I have a relatively simple setup. Not sure what needs to discover each other. The main things I could think of are a network-connected printer and several streaming devices.

 

[L&LD]

Best test method for your network: disable and observe what you can't do anymore.

Doesn't matter what others may report in their specific environments.

 

[ColinTaylor]

Not sure what needs to discover each other.

That is nothing to do with UPnP. UPnP allows a device to open holes in the router's firewall to allow remote access to it from the internet. This would typically be for things like multiplayer games, BitTorrent, remote file access (e.g. Plex, NAS, etc.).

 

[bbunge]

With the talk of some recent exploits, I'm wondering just what really requires UPnP. I've tried reading up, but am a bit confused about any consequences of disabling it. I have a relatively simple setup. Not sure what needs to discover each other. The main things I could think of are a network-connected printer and several streaming devices.

I have disabled UPnP for years as a matter of security. I do not want a device or app to open a hole in the router firewall without my approval.

Consequences? None that I am aware of and no one in the household has complained. Torrent app still works. VPN on my clients still works.