This topic

Port Forward doesn't work, think Smart Hub 2 is defective

HelenLogan — Fri, 22 Sep 2023 15:46:17 GMT

We have a BT Smart Hub 2, it is on the latest firmware (v0.40.00.04147-BT)

Port Forward rules are set for a specific computer, but they are not open.

Please read before commenting/answering;

This is over a wired connection. Ports ARE forwarded in Windows Firewall settings as well as BT Hub Manager Firewall

What we have tried;

uPnP disabled
IPV6 disabled
Firewall disabled
Adding the computer to a DMZ
Multiple factory resets (which don't do a full factory reset btw, as they keep my configured IP settings)

And according to multiple websites, including ShieldsUp!, the ports remain closed.

I'm not the first person to have issues with Port Forwarding on the BT Smart Hub 2, and I am starting to believe I have a defective router.

Port Forwarding is critical for what we currently need the internet for.

Please advise.

Re: Port Forward doesn't work, think Smart Hub 2 is defective

Crimliar — Fri, 22 Sep 2023 18:30:37 GMT

DMZ is not the same as port forwarding, and if you are testing ports but there is no server attached to those ports then they might as well be closed coz the data you are throwing at them is still going nowhere!

Re: Port Forward doesn't work, think Smart Hub 2 is defective

HelenLogan — Fri, 22 Sep 2023 18:48:26 GMT

Thank you, but that adds nothing of note.

Re: Port Forward doesn't work, think Smart Hub 2 is defective

Crimliar — Fri, 22 Sep 2023 19:04:36 GMT

If you are port forwarding the relevant incoming ports to the ports being used by a specific service on a specific machine you do not also need to place that machine in a DMZ. In order to test that the port forwarding is working you will still need to have the service up and running, with the specific ports on the machine opened on it's own firewall before any kind of test on them will work. Port forwarding on the router is managed by software running on the router - it's not a hardware component that can fail independently, so I seriously doubt that your SH2 is faulty.

Maybe if you let us know what you are trying to do rather than how you are trying to achieve it we can help further.

Re: Port Forward doesn't work, think Smart Hub 2 is defective

HelenLogan — Fri, 22 Sep 2023 19:23:59 GMT

I am far from the only person to note that the SH2 struggles with port forward rules, feel free to google for yourself.

Ergo, the router has a firmware issue preventing port forwarding.

I tried a DMZ simply because I ran out of other ideas, you can disregard it, it is irrelevant.

Specifically I need to open a port for multiplayer connectivity on a server I am running for a group of players.

If you read the OP, you will see everything I have tried already. I am convinced the issue is not on my end.

Windows Firewall has the ports set to open on both TCP and UDP.

SH2 Firewall has the ports set to open on UDP currently, I have tried UDP/TCP and TCP separately to cover my own frustrations.

I have tried completely disabling both Windows Firewall and SH2 Firewall, still the port is closed.

My external IP address is not under a NAT protected range as far as I am aware, it is an 82.XXX.XXX.XXX IP.

By all accounts, the port should be open. And yet.

Re: Port Forward doesn't work, think Smart Hub 2 is defective

licquorice — Fri, 22 Sep 2023 20:02:54 GMT

Port forwarding works just fine for me with the SH2.

As @Crimliar has said, unless there is a service running on the port, it will show as closed.

What does the port show in Shields Up. Open, closed or stealth?

Re: Port Forward doesn't work, think Smart Hub 2 is defective

Les-Gibson — Fri, 22 Sep 2023 20:04:15 GMT

Two things come to mind

1. Assuming your broadband is residential, don't rely on any remote user being able to address your server using your public IP address, it will be dynamic not fixed. You need DDNS which some providers will allow you to sign up for free of charge.

2. Even when using DDNS, the remote user will need to suffix the URL with {:PortNumber} (minus the brackets), e.g. :8080

Re: Port Forward doesn't work, think Smart Hub 2 is defective

HelenLogan — Fri, 22 Sep 2023 20:05:31 GMT

Stealthed

Re: Port Forward doesn't work, think Smart Hub 2 is defective

HelenLogan — Fri, 22 Sep 2023 20:06:37 GMT

Yup, well aware, of both accounts.

Re: Port Forward doesn't work, think Smart Hub 2 is defective

ptrduffy — Sat, 23 Sep 2023 11:25:08 GMT

Can you connect to the server from another machine on your local network? That would show that something is listening and it's not being blocked by Windows, which would point conclusively to a Hub issue.

Re: Port Forward doesn't work, think Smart Hub 2 is defective

HelenLogan — Sat, 23 Sep 2023 15:25:08 GMT

Using my mobile and ipvoid UDP port scanner, it shows the port as filtered.

Disabling Windows Firewall entirely (which also disables my Port Forwarding settings in Windows) then shows the port as Closed.

Which (to me) shows that my Windows Port Forward settings are correct and working.

It's the Hub filtering the ports, despite them being port forwarded in the Hub Manager.

Re: Port Forward doesn't work, think Smart Hub 2 is defective

BGLUK — Sat, 28 Oct 2023 12:32:07 GMT

I seem to have the same issue with port forwarding. Replicated my old Virgin Media rules but although everything appears fine it just does not work.
Factory resets, UPnP disabled, firewall turned off, dmz all tried - but port scans do not see me)

Spoke with BT and a new hub is being sent.
I’m curious if you ever resolved your issue?

Re: Port Forward doesn't work, think Smart Hub 2 is defective

zombymumf — Tue, 07 Nov 2023 16:15:54 GMT

There must be a lot of defective SH2s then! My port forwarding doesn't work either. Neither do my pinholes for ipv6 connectivity either. The SH2 is rubbish imho.

Re: Port Forward doesn't work, think Smart Hub 2 is defective

wkirkman — Tue, 07 Nov 2023 16:48:51 GMT

Can confirm that port forwarding working perfectly for me on firmware v0.41.00.07076-BT

as I think someone pointed out, port forwarding is software not hardware so it would be highly unlikely a change of hardware will help.

most likely scenario is that the port isn’t actually going anywhere on the target computer. Either set up incorrectly or firewall not set up correctly as the port will be, for all purposes, closed if mistargeted.

better to test on the local lan without the internet (therefore any port forwarding) being involved as see if you can actually get to that port. From one PC to another, across the LAN. If not, then router cannot be at fault as not used.

if you can, then perhaps misconfiguration of port forwarding and firewall rules.

but it is something only you can test locally. It’s just troubleshooting. Take all complications out of the way and start from as basic as you can and prove each step, adding each layer of complication upon each positive check to find where the issue is.

just saying SH2 is rubbish! Is, to be honest, someone who wants to blame rather than finding out the cause and fixing it.

Re: Port Forward doesn't work, think Smart Hub 2 is defective

BGLUK — Tue, 07 Nov 2023 21:40:20 GMT

I mentioned it was unlikely to be a hardware issue on my post, for me I’ve had about seven year of a Raspberry Pi hosting a Wordpress site, ports forwarded fine on VM and not changed the Pi when I went to the SH2.
It just show as stealth when checking Ports over the Internet now.
Testing on the LAN is fine, SSH, RealVNC all let me straight in.
I’ve parked it for now and will look again at some point. Makes no sense as such a basic task 😕

Re: Port Forward doesn't work, think Smart Hub 2 is defective

gerrycan321 — Mon, 11 Mar 2024 15:29:55 GMT

Please can you share what firmware your BT Hub 2 is running where you see this working ok ?

Regards

Re: Port Forward doesn't work, think Smart Hub 2 is defective

licquorice — Mon, 11 Mar 2024 15:32:29 GMT

I have never had a problem with any version of firmware on the SH2.

Re: Port Forward doesn't work, think Smart Hub 2 is defective

gerrycan321 — Mon, 11 Mar 2024 16:21:26 GMT

Have you seen v0.42.00.10167-BT working with IPv4 Portforward, and/or IPv6 pinholes ?

Regards

Re: Port Forward doesn't work, think Smart Hub 2 is defective

licquorice — Mon, 11 Mar 2024 16:28:45 GMT

No, I am still on v0.41.01.10137-BT

v0.42.00.10167-BT is a very recent release.

Re: Port Forward doesn't work, think Smart Hub 2 is defective

wkirkman — Mon, 11 Mar 2024 16:41:36 GMT

Yes it is working on the latest release of v0.42.00.10167-BT