I have a friend overseas who has the following wireless router: Belkin 5D8636-4

We both want to use Ekiga VOIP. I can get it to work on my computer but he can not get it to work on his computer. I researched his router (http://www.portforward.com/english/r...36-4/Ekiga.htm) and learned his router can not forward enough ports to run Ekiga. However, the same research states one can use the "DMZ" portion of the router to run Ekiga.

What is "DMZ" and how does one use it?

I searched google and found so much information that I did not know how to absorb it. Could someone tell me (or point me to a resource) in simple terms: a) what is "DMZ" and b) how can I help him use it?

I would appreciate your insight.

Thanks.

Here's a link that describes DMZ (Demilitarized Zone) about half way down in the "At the Office" section. Basically, it's a way to allow one of your machines to live outside of your network and be exposed to the internet at large. So if you don't know what you're doing, this can be a security nightmare. You should run a software firewall on the box and close all unnecessary ports.

Most routers have either a dedicated DMZ port or a page on their web interface that let you specify a particular IP address or MAC address for the DMZ. This generally has to be a static address inside your LAN. So you'll just have to poke around in the configurations to find it if the router has a DMZ. From your link above, it is not clear to me that this particular model has a DMZ or not. It says try using it "if it is available".

What are you talking about. You need just forward:
And you don't need to forward 5000-5100, you can try 5000-5010, just 10 ports.
1 port - 5060 UDP
1 port 1720 TCP

http://wiki.ekiga.org/index.php/Enab...rding_manually

P.S.

Make sure that he forward those ports to his computer IP, but not to the "DMZ"!

I tell you more, you can use STUN proxy, and do not forward anything at all.

pljvaldez, nimnull22,

First, a big thank you to your inputs.

I double checked....his router does support "DMZ".

Keep in mind, I do not know his level of "tech" knowledge. What would be the most "idiot friendly" approach to try first? It sounds like the "DMZ" could be hazardous if improperly managed.

1 - DMZ
2 - port forward (If I read this link correctly, then port forwarding can not be done: http://www.portforward.com/english/r...36-4/Ekiga.htm)
3 - stun

Or does he have more options? What would be the most "newbie" friendly?

Thank you so much!

I suggest to to read their web site carefully, because when I used ekiga, it works for me without any port forwarding, because I can't physically do it. But I delete it later, so I can help, but I need to install it again.

And another reasonable question, why not skype? why ekiga?

Just guessing here, but it could be the same answer as to the question:

"Why not windows? why linux?"

;-)

Cheers,

Evo2.