Port Forwarding (MySky App) - Internal or External

[Regional+Accent]

When creating a port forward rule, it just asks for a port number.  Is this the internal or external port?

On my previous device I had two rules set up that both used the same internal port but different external ports - I can't do this here, as it says the port number is already in use when trying to add it to the second device.

I'm a bit of a novie when it comes to port forwarding anyway, so if someone can explain what I need to do please

[Addie15]

Hi there, @Regional+Accent. I’ve escalated your post to our Community Messaging team who will invite you to a private chat shortly and help you with this. 

Just look out for the colourful bubble to start the conversation.

Here's more information on how Community Messaging works - https://helpforum.sky.com/t5/Did-you-know/Escalating-a-post-to-a-Sky-expert/ba-p/3711147 

[Mr+Flibbles+86]

We are still looking to help you. If you need our support let us know and we can re-escalate to our chat team. Your invite has been closed now. Thanks

[Regional+Accent]

Yes I still would like an answer. Not sure why it needs to be escalated to a chat rather than just posting an answer where others could find in in the future if they have the same question.

[Chrisee]

@Regional+Accent the forum is very busy so many posts are not answered before they get escalated. You orginal question was about port forwarding which is required so an external server can contact an app running on a device behind the router's firewall. Any reply to a contact iniated by a device will not be affected as the router will be expecting a reply. 

The way this works with Sky hubs is different depending whether you have a black or the newer white type. The instructions here are for the black hub which involves setting up a rule which in effect says contact on this port should be forwarded to this device which is running the service required. I think you will have issues if two different applications running on different devices that want to use the same external port number. Many applications have a range of ports they can use which could be a work round if you can use a different port. @TimmyBGood any ideas?

[Regional+Accent]

@Chrisee what I mean is, if someone's putting time aside to chat specifically with me when it's escalated, they could just as easily post their response in the forum rather than a private chat.

I have one of the newer white hubs.

So to be a bit more specific with my usage.  I have 2 Plex servers, one for videos I'm sharing with my friends/family and one for private access.  Plex specifies it's port as 32400 (this can be changed manually, however I was getting issues when I tried this previously).  So this would be the same for both devices.

The MySky app doesn't specify which port I'm entering into the the rule (internal/external) and since it's not the device I'm trying to access but the Plex server, how does the rule know where to forward to?

[Chrisee]

@Regional+Accent the white Sky hub has very limited functionality and only allows simple port forwarding for most users it is far easier to set up but unfortunately I suspect it cannot do what you want. Sky's hubs are locked down pretty tightly and that is unlikely to change unfortunately.

[mae-3]

@Regional+Accent 

The alternative would be to replace the Sky router with one that can support the port forwarding necessary, which is the port address translation (PAT) that two Plex servers need.

Asus routers all support PAT and are compatible with Sky's authentication DHCP Option 61 and DHCPv6 PD.

Of course, if you are using Sky VoIP solution on your broadband then this option isn't available unless you change to a VoIP solution for one that isn't proprietary.

[Nock]

No, you shouldn't proceed in a private message with an issue that's been raised on a forum. This isn't the first person who wants to do this and they won't be the last. Publish the answer publicly so that anybody who wants to perform this task (that should be accessible without downloading and navigating a stupid  yet convoluted app) can find an answer to their question without having to wait for a response from an already bogged down customer service system.