Section 3: Virtual Server
This feature allows you to set Servers on your LAN accessible to Internet users. Normally, Internet users would not be able to access a server on your LAN because:
- Your Server’s IP address is only valid on your LAN, not on the Internet.
- Attempts to connect to devices on your LAN are blocked by the firewall in the Twin WAN Gateway.
The feature solves these problems and allows Internet users to connect to your servers, as illustrated in the following illustration.
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Figure 11. In this illustration, both Internet users are connecting to the same IP Address but using different protocols. |
Connecting to Virtual Servers
Once configured, anyone on the Internet can connect to your Virtual Servers. They must use the Twin WAN Gateway’s Internet IP Address (the IP Address provided by your ISP).
Example:
http://205.20.45.34
ftp://205.20.45.34
- To Internet users, all virtual Servers on your LAN have the same IP Address. This IP Address is allocated by your ISP.
- This address should be static, rather than dynamic, to make it easier for Internet users to connect to your Servers. However, you can use the Dynamic DNS feature (explained later in this chapter) to allow users to connect to your Virtual Servers using a URL, instead of an IP Address.
e.g.
HTTP://my_domain_name.dyndns.org
FTP://my_domain_name.dyndns.org
Virtual Server - Settings
Use this to Enable or Disable each Virtual server as required.
Select the desired Server type. If the type of Server you wish to use is not listed, use the Custom Virtual Server screen to define your own type.
Enter the IP address of the PC on your LAN which is running the required Server software.
Each PC should have a fixed IP address, or have a reserved IP address. (See the Host IP section earlier in this chapter for details on reserving an IP address.)
