Port Forwarding Not Working - AC68U

[sbsolarski]

Good Afternoon Everyone,

I'm stumped and I need your help!.

I've been trying to host a dedicated server for Valheim – I've followed the linked instructions precisely. I have no issues in setting up and running the server from any of my local computers (I have 2 PC's, one that I use as a daily driver and a HTPC). To be clear I can connect to the server from any other computer on my Local Area Network. I also have no issues hosting a normal Valheim game (non-dedicated type).

My issue is that I cannot manage to host the server on the internet and get someone outside my LAN to connect (tried this using a laptop hot spotted to my phone) – because it seems my ports are not being opened or so it seems, the ports in question are 2456, 2457 and 2458 (needed to host a Valheim dedicated server).

MY SETUP

Router: DSL-AC68U running Asuswrt-Merlin firmware
NBN (NBN is Australia's national broadband network) Device: ARRIS CM8200
NBN Connection: HFC
NBN Provider: Aussie Broadband

The HFC coax cable runs to the ARRIS CM8200, from there an Ethernet cable runs from the ARRIS CM8200 to the DSL-AC68U, and from the DSL-AC68U I'm running Ethernet to both my PC's. I got the AC68U configured so that its LAN Port 4 is a WAN Port. Here are a few pictures of the setup.

https://imgur.com/a/0boWyHy

ROUTER SETTINGS

For the sake of this thread the computer that hosts the server has the private IP 192.168.1.172. I use the following settings on my Router (DSL-AC68U).

Port Forwarding

I have forwarded ports 2456, 2457 and 2458 (TCP & UDP) aimed toward 192.168.1.172. Refer to the image below.

https://imgur.com/a/fZTDLZL

General Settings

Refer to the image below.

https://imgur.com/a/DE5cREG

Firewall Settings

I have disabled the firewall on my router. Refer to the image below.

https://imgur.com/a/aQOD9BS

WINDOWS DIAGNOSTICS

To be clear I have allowed Valheim and Valheim Dedicated Server on my windows firewall.

I have my copy of ipconfig /all below.

https://imgur.com/a/szQeI2i

I also have my netstat -a -n before and after hosting, in the 2nd image you can see the underlined server operating under port 2457.

Not Hosting

https://imgur.com/a/okvieu3

During Hosting

https://imgur.com/a/NyGUOjc

ISSUE

As noted above I cannot connect to my Valheim dedicated server from the internet, in addition when I use websites like https://www.canyouseeme.org/ I get errors and it fails to see the open port. It is incredibly frustrating.

I would really appreciate someones help, I'm not network savvy at all.

 

[eibgrad]

Do you have a *public* IP on the WAN? Because if it's a *private* IP (or CGNAT), you can't remotely access it. Many ISPs use the latter because of the limited number of IPv4 public IPs available.

Private network - Wikipedia

en.wikipedia.org

 

[sbsolarski]

Hi eibgrad! thank you so much for your reply. CGNAT was the culprit, I opted out of it with my provider and now I can host my server.