lanelors

Problem:

I want to be able to download/steam/update my anime/movies/mp3s/podcasts collection from smartphone/tablet/other PCs
I do not wish to pay 5 euro for Plex (it’s a super app for streaming, but only this)

How hard could it be to create a FTP server so I could watch anime laying on the couch or while traveling? It turned out I need several nights of wandering the Internet for pieces of the puzzle and each complete phase opening new problems.

So, let’s start from Windows lan :

By default both IP address and DNS are set automatically. Changing the IP to 192.168.1.2 gives you a fixed IP to be used when port forwarding the router in latter steps.

Subnet mask: 255.255.255.0 by default

Gateway: 192.168.1.1

DNS 8.8.8.8 & 8.8.4.4 are Google addresses, hopefully a bit faster than your ISPs.

Setting local network for intranet access

Do a restart for the new settings to apply.

Windows firewall

The goal here is to open ports 21 & 50000-51000 /or any other port range you have in mind/. More specifically ports “21,50000-51000”

Pay attention to the type of action. We ALLOW the connection.

From there just finish the wizard and repeat for outbound rules.

Now to port forward the rougher

Open your browser and connect to the router. In my case it’s 192.168.1.1

Navigate to the FORWARDING menu and add 50000-51000 as outer ports and 21 as inner for the IP you entered in Windows network settings (192.168.1.2).

Last, add your IP to the router DMZ.

Test break 1

Now to check if the ports are visible from outside. Go to here to check if port 21 & range 50000-51000 are actually open. In case of a red flag, check your settings step by step.