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Firewall Setup

If clients cannot connect to the Fast Video Cataloger Server, the most common cause is a firewall blocking the connection. This guide covers how to configure your firewall to allow server connections.

Required Ports

The server uses the following network port:

Port Protocol Purpose
8754 TCP Default server port (configurable in serverconfig.xml)

If you changed the port in your server configuration, open that port instead.

Windows Firewall Configuration

Opening the Port

  1. Open Windows Security (search for it in the Start menu)
  2. Click Firewall & network protection
  3. Click Advanced settings
  4. In the left pane, click Inbound Rules
  5. In the right pane, click New Rule...
  6. Select Port and click Next
  7. Select TCP and enter 8754 (or your configured port)
  8. Select Allow the connection and click Next
  9. Select which network profiles apply (Domain, Private, Public)
  10. Give the rule a name like "Fast Video Cataloger Server" and click Finish

Verifying the Rule

After creating the rule, verify it appears in the Inbound Rules list and is enabled (green checkmark).

Testing Connectivity

From the Server

Test that the server is listening on the correct port:

netstat -an | findstr 8754

You should see a line showing LISTENING on port 8754.

From a Client

Test connectivity to the server from a client machine:

Test-NetConnection -ComputerName SERVER_NAME -Port 8754

Replace SERVER_NAME with your server's hostname or IP address. A successful connection shows TcpTestSucceeded: True.

Common Issues

Server Not Starting

  • Check that the port is not already in use by another application
  • Verify the serverconfig.xml has valid settings
  • Check the Windows Event Viewer for error messages

Clients Cannot Connect

  • Verify the firewall rule is enabled for the correct network profile
  • Check that both inbound AND outbound rules allow the traffic
  • If using a corporate network, check with IT for additional firewall restrictions
  • Try temporarily disabling the firewall to confirm it's the cause

Connection Works Locally But Not Remotely

  • Ensure AllowRemoteConnections is set to true in serverconfig.xml
  • Check router/network firewall settings (not just Windows Firewall)
  • Verify the server's IP address is reachable from the client network

Router/Network Firewall

If clients are connecting from outside your local network (e.g., over the internet), you may also need to:

  1. Configure port forwarding on your router to forward port 8754 to the server
  2. Open the port on any network firewalls between clients and the server
  3. Consider using a VPN for secure remote access instead of exposing the port directly

See Also