Need to map an incoming TCP port through my firewall to my computer in order to speed up my downloads. Running Win 2k with a cable modem. Any help doing this would be greatly appreciated.

Alternateively, suggested tweaks to the Win 2K registry posted here: http://rdweb.cns.vt.edu/public/notes/win2k-tcpip.htm

[HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\Services\Tcpip\Parameters]



The names/values I installed are:

GlobalMaxTcpWindowSize
REG_DWORD
131400 (decimal)

TcpWindowSize
REG_DWORD
131400 (decimal)

Tcp1323Opts
REG_DWORD
3

Do these changes have any effect without mapping a port?

Hi bizyone,

Changing your TCP/IP window sizes have nothing to do with mapping a port, they will (if done correctly) increase your internet access (upload/download) speeds.

However, if you do not change your firewall it may still block the port that you're after, regardless of the TCP/IP window size.

I can give you more information, but you need to give us some details. What type of firewall do you have (hardware/software?), what's your OS (XP?), what port number?

In general though, mapping a port will do nothing to speed up your downloads (unless you plan to use a download accelerator which needs this port).

Ronald.

Ronald,
Thanx for your reply. That's the kind of info I'm looking for. I'm using Zone Alarm firewall and Win 2K OS. If I upgrade to Zone Alarm Pro it appears I can map to a port, however, tryin to get a work around before doing that. Would like to map to TCP port 6699 and send and receive UDP diagrams on 6257.

I installed the window size changes to the registry posted above and may have detected a slight increase in upload/download speed but don't know whether I should also remove the "default instruction" also present in that key. Trial and errorr??? I can always add it back I suppose if removing it has a negative effect.
bizyone

I have Zone Alarm Pro at home and allow a few ports into the machine. Works like a charm.
I do not know if this works with the free version though, possibly not.
Zone Alarm is one of the best software firewalls out there (check out Gibson's page GRC) and in some cases it's better than some hardware firewalls out there. However, a few people have had trouble with it and uninstalling can be a pain.

With regards to the TCP/IP Window sizes, yes it's trial and error. I had my windows set too large and I could not browse to certain websites. I lowered the values a bit and now everything is working fine.

Here are the keys that I have:

CODE

[HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\Services\Tcpip\Parameters] "TcpWindowSize"=dword:00400000 "Tcp1323Opts"=dword:00000001 "TcpMaxDupAcks"=dword:00000002 [HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\Services\AFD\Parameters] "DefaultSendWindow"=dword:0000fc00 "DefaultReceiveWindow"=dword:0000fc00

Note the AFD section; this is for applications that use Winsock connections. With these settings I can now download from websites at 6MB/s (yes, MegaByte, not MegaBit). Before I applied these registry settings my downloads were near 2MB/s.

Ronald.

Ronald,
Thanks for your reply. Added your AFD section for effect and addjusted the window size parameters more in line with yours. Will probably have to go to Zone Alarm Pro to get the port permissions set with the least hassle.
bizyone