What could be blocking a Port?

[Baitball Blogger]

Last edited Fri Jan 18, 2013, 07:39 AM - Edit history (1)

Update: I changed the header and data to hopefully get a better response.

We're hooking up security cams to our computer system and need to use a port for email alerts. The process involves a port forwarding, if that's any help. But, for some reason, something is blocking the port. What is suppose to happen if it works, is that when the motion detection sensor gets triggered, I get an email alert with about ten seconds of camera motion detection. But for some reason, my port is not working.

So, I'm writing to find out what blocks a port? Could it be a firewall in Windows 7? On the extreme, can it be hijacked through hacking?

[Baitball Blogger]

1. Kicked because of the update.

[discntnt_irny_srcsm]

2. Please detail...

...how cameras are connected. Some connect via USB, some through WiFi and some to a stand alone security system which then connects to a pc or your network.

Is there an error message? Are you getting the error by email or on the pc? What does the message say?

Have you installed software on the pc? If so, does the s/w contact an outside service to send the email? You mentioned Win7 as your PC OS, is that the Home or Pro version? What brand and model router do you have? It is quite likely that the Win7 firewall is causing a problem. These settings can be changed from < Control Panel\System and Security\Windows Firewall\Allowed Programs > by clicking the 'change settings' button.

You can use: http://www.canyouseeme.org/

...from your browser on the pc on which the browser is running has a particular port open.

What is it that's missing? Is it the video or the whole email? Is the video embedding in or attached to the email or is it just a link in the email? Many email services have size restrictions on individual emails. I would suggest turning off the 10 seconds of video option if possible.

[Baitball Blogger]

3. Hi Thanks for responding.

The DVR is cable connected to the computer router. It's the DVR that is looking for a functioning port to send an email. The Port Forwarding was established through the netgear router software.

I can see the video streaming through my laptop because we were able to set a port forwarding for the cameras that are hooked up to the DVR. But the DVR is not sending the emails. Oddly, in the logs, there is an indication that the DVR is registering motion detection events that SHOULD be emailed. There is just no IP connected to the events, which means they are not going beyond the DVR.

I don't know if it's related, but I also can't capture photos or record data on my laptop, though I should be able to do both.

[discntnt_irny_srcsm]

4. What type of cable...

...connects the DVR to the PC?

[Baitball Blogger]

5. I assumed it was standard ethernet.

I can access the streaming photos anywhere I can hook up to the internet through a wireless.

[discntnt_irny_srcsm]

6. We may have a winner.

I infer that your pc is connected to your router via WiFi. If so, connecting the security DVR to the pc via Ethernet may be the issue. I would suggest connecting the DVR to your router. You may need to re"discover" or reinstall your pc-DVR software.

[Baitball Blogger]

7. Thanks. I'll run it by the technician.

Thanks!

[discntnt_irny_srcsm]

8. You're welcome n/t

[ChromeFoundry]

9. Most ISP block SMTP:port 25

to thwart Trojans from sending spam, and propagating their vile content.

If I am following your problem correctly.

If your SMTP Mail-Relay server (like gmail or hotmail) may offer a secondary port (like 465 or 587) - usually with authentication, try that. You will need to look that information up. Since emails are sent from your network outbound, you would not need to setup a forwarded port for the emails to be delivered. Your DVR firmware should offer a Test button for testing your settings.

[Baitball Blogger]

10. Those two numbers, 465 and 587, he did try.

We couldn't get past the test.

That's why I think we needed to reboot the hardware like it was suggested.

[Gore1FL]

12. If it is a Windows firewall issue you can look at those under advanced firewall and monitoring. n/t