Information about the automatic router configuration feature in Windows Home Server

Typically, Windows Home Server can automatically configure a broadband router if the router is a UPnP-certified device and if the router UPnP setting is enabled. This router configuration is required to use the Remote Access feature that is included in Windows Home Server.

This article contains additional information about automatic router configuration in Windows Home Server. This article also describes the steps that you can take if Windows Home Server cannot automatically configure the router.

Routers that are known to support the automatic network configuration functionality that is used by Windows Home Server

The routers and wireless routers that are on the Windows Vista Hardware Compatibility List (HCL) are compatible with Windows Home Server. Microsoft has tested the routers on the Windows Vista HCL to verify that they support the automatic network configuration functionality (UPnP) that is used by Windows Home Server.

To view a list of routers and wireless routers that are compatible with Windows Home Server, follow these steps:

1. Visit the following Microsoft Web site:
   http://winqual.microsoft.com/HCL/Default.aspx?m=v (http://winqual.microsoft.com/HCL/Default.aspx?m=v)
2. Under Devices, click Certified for Windows Vista or Works with Windows Vista.
3. Under Select a Processor Type, click x86 (32-bit Processor) or x64 (64-bit Processor).
4. In the Select a category box, click Routers or Wireless Routers.
   
   Note The Routers category may be unavailable in some configurations.
5. Click Start.

Steps to take if the router requires manual configuration

If Windows Home Server cannot automatically configure the router, we recommend that you contact the router vendor for information about how to manually forward the required ports.

For information about your hardware manufacturer, visit the following Web site:
Note Microsoft provides third-party contact information to help you find technical support. This contact information may change without notice. Microsoft does not guarantee the accuracy of this third-party contact information.

If the router does not fully support the UPnP standard, you must manually configure the router to forward the following ports to the IP address of the computer that is running Windows Home Server.
A typical router configuration page includes a table that resembles the following.

Note In this table, the IP address of the computer that is running Windows Home Server is 192.168.0.100.
Note Before you manually configure the router to forward the required ports to Windows Home Server, we recommend that you use a DHCP reservation to configure the Dynamic Host Configuration Protocol (DHCP) function on the router. This step guarantees that the IP address to which you will be forwarding the ports will not change.

Steps to take if Windows Home Server cannot configure the router

If Windows Home Server cannot automatically configure the router for use with Remote Access, follow these methods to troubleshoot the issue.

Method 1: Verify the physical network configuration

To troubleshoot this issue, verify that the router is turned on and that the computer that is running Windows Home Server is connected directly to the router by using an Ethernet cable.

Method 2: Verify that the UPnP feature is enabled on the router

To enable the UPnP setting on the router, follow these steps:

1. In the Windows Home Server Console, click Settings.
2. Click Remote Access.
3. Click Setup, and then click OK.
4. On the Router Configuration Details page, click Configure Router. The configuration Web page for the router opens.
   
   Note If the configuration Web page for the router does not open, you may have to connect to the router manually. For more information, see the Help documentation for the router, or contact the router manufacturer.
5. Type the user name and the password to log on to the router. For more information, see the Help documentation for the router, or contact the router manufacturer.
6. Find the UPnP setting page in the router configuration Web pages. For more information, see the Help documentation for the router, or contact the router manufacturer.
7. Turn on the UPnP setting for the router.
8. Save the configuration, and then close the browser.
   
   Note If the router must restart, wait until the restart is completed.
9. On the Router Configuration Details page, click Refresh to run the configuration tests again.

For general router configuration information, see the "Learn more about router configuration" Help topic in the Windows Home Server Console Help. For more information about how to turn on the UPnP setting on the router, see the Help documentation for the router, or contact the manufacturer.

Method 3: Verify that the router has the latest firmware installed

To determine whether you have the latest firmware installed on the router, see the Help documentation for the router, or contact the router manufacturer.

Note You may be able to update the firmware from the configuration Web page for the router. To access this page, click Configure Router on the Router Configuration Details page.

After you update the firmware on the router, click Refresh on the Router Configuration Details page to run the configuration tests again.