Setting up LimwWire to share your files from behind a NAT firewall is easy.

First a NAT firewall translates internal non-routable ip addresses such as 192.168.*.* to external WAN ip addresses......the one you get dynamically from your ISP.

Most of the router/firewalls that are purchased for $100 or so are NAT routers with built in firewalls.

There routers will allow you to set certain ports open and assign them to a specific internal non-routable ip like 192.168.***.**

Then download IP2 ...a small program that will allow you to discover your WAN(wide area network) ip ....the one you get from the ISP....

Robin Keir's home page - Software - IP2

OK now you force IP in LimeWire <Tools --Options--Advanced--Firewall>and enter the WAN ip that IP2 discovered for you and the port you opened up on your router.

Now when your start up LimeWire people on Gnutells net can connect to your WAN ip since it is a valid Internet ip and you are still secure behind your firewall.

Note: althought I have called the internal network addresses "non-routable" there are usually refered to as "private". Routers simply drop(ie destroy) packets when they don't know what to do with then.

Keep on Sharing

dbl_221
Comp Sys walking wounded