simple port tester

[philly]

Hi All,
This is my first post. My knowledge of computers is very, very small as I have come from a backround of RF and bench repairs for 30 years. I recently installed your simple port tester which is a very handy tool as in recent times I need to open ports on routers to network DVR's etc,. However I noticed that if I open a port using my desktop PC and then test it with port checker it checks out OK. If I use my laptop to check the same port it cannot be reached. If I reverse the test and open the port with my laptop it can see the port open but now my desktop PC cannot see it. Is this normal or what is happening here. Also, (sorry if this appears a silly question) ,is opening a port the same as port forwarding. I get confused as terminology seems to vary with different manufacturers. Too long working with RF.
Philly.

[Shane]

The port tester actually opens and listens on the port itself on the computer it is running on. If something isn't listening on the port the test will fail no matter what as nothing accepts the connection

So the port tester should be used on the machine that needs tested. and for port forwarding
http://www.pcwintech.com/what-port-forwarding-nutshell

Need anything else just let me know 

Shane

[philly]

Thanks Shane for your prompt response.
Philly

[Shane]

No problem 

Shane

[philly]

Thanks Shane for your prompt response.
Philly

Hi Shane,
What's still confusing me is I have the simple port tester installed on two machines. It will only see a port opened if I run the port checker on the PC that was used to open the  port  in the first place. I am talking about a Netopia router.
Guys in the trade seem to dislike them for some reason.
Hope I am not sounding stupid.
Philly.

[Shane]

The port tester opens and listens for a connection on the machine it is running. So if you setup port forwarding rule to a different computer or say an xbox well then the port tester will fail no matter what because it is listening on your computer. 

Shane

[philly]

Hi Shane,
Good to see you up early on Sunday morning. You have hit the nail on the head. Your explanation is now starting to make things a little more clear to me. I am opening a port to a satellite receiver and listening on my PC which is why it fails as when I select 'enable' on the Netopia I have a choice of the different ip's on the network I want to open to. If I select my PC the test works. If I select the ip of the sat box it fails.
 
Thanks a lot.
Philly,
P.S. If you ever need any help on sat / TV give me a shout.

[Shane]

The point of the port tester is that in order for the test to work something has to accept the connection attempt.
Sometimes the port tester page will work just fine for you if the device your testing for is listening on the port.


So in this case, if the device is listening and responds to connections then this should be all you need to test
http://www.pcwintech.com/port_test.php

Shane