Port-forwarding meaning
Also called "port mapping," port forwarding is directing traffic from the outside world to the appropriate server inside a local TCP/IP network. Internet services are identified by a standard port number; for example, Web traffic uses port number 80. If the local network hosts a Web server that is accessible on the public Internet, the port forwarding panel in the router would be configured to direct Web/HTTP packets (port 80 traffic) to the IP address of the Web server in the local network (LAN). See TCP/IP port.Ports are "opened" and "closed" in the firewall, which determines which types of traffic are allowed in or out. In a company, stand-alone commercial firewalls are used. In the home and small business, the firewall is built into the wireless router. For more details, see opening a port. See firewall, wireless router and port triggering.