Router Firewall blocking Search Service

03 Oct 23: One server has been relocated, the server currently doesn't have a public IP address in the meantime. I wrote some additional tunnel code running separately to handle this. When the server is engaged the connection is 5600+ days uniform (since around 24 July 2008). In the unlikely case I disengaged the server because of some problem the retention is 1200-3800 days depending on newsgroup. If you experience any issue please let me know.

29 Nov 23: Because of encrypted and "obfuscated" flood mass posted by few nzb websites and newzbin-like communities using usenet servers as private storage for their members to download the posts - the situation with the content is pretty chaotic, since posts are disguised in such a way, that users must use the satellite ecosystem (whish is not a part of Usenet) exclusively to download them, when the website disappears - the encrypted scattered posts just eat usenet providers' disk space uselessly. If you can't find something specific please let me know what exactly you can't find for me to check how it is possible to retain the posts. Legible posts shouldn't be affected at all, let me know if you notice anything missing.

08 Aug 24: After being unchanged for many years the search service communication protocol had to be updated a few times in part to resolve a server side set feature limitation and properly handle trial searches on the relocated server. The searches themselves are not affected and it looks like the work is now complete.
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batfink
Posts: 13
Joined: Sun Jan 29, 2006 12:51 pm

Router Firewall blocking Search Service

Post by batfink »

Hi,
Yesterday i bought a new ADSL2+ Modem/Router Billion 7404VNPX.
http://au.billion.com/product/voip/bipac7404vnpx.php

Anyway it seems the firewall is blocking the search service..I can still update groups and download files from those updated groups..I just cant search anymore.

If i turn the firewall off the search works fine so its definitely the firewall. I dont want to go online without my firewall.
I was just wondering, does the search use a special port or a protocol that i can punch through my firewall.

Many Thanks
Batfink
alex
Posts: 4543
Joined: Thu Feb 27, 2003 5:57 pm

Post by alex »

if you access e.g. a news server it is the same problem. you need to open outgoing port 119 or whatever port is used to access the news server.

so try to enable outgoing tcp ports 2020-2026, it covers both normal and backup configurations and registered/trial searches, at least in the foreseeable future.

ip addresses i also can give, but in principle they are dynamic even as they change rarely.
batfink
Posts: 13
Joined: Sun Jan 29, 2006 12:51 pm

Post by batfink »

hmmm, , that didnt work either.
The router has 3 levels of firewall security..on Medium i can access Usenet through port 119 as normal but search is totally fubar.

If i put the router onto low security i can access everything.
Hmm..its a new router, i've never had a router with 3 levels of firewall security before..not even sure on some of the terms its using.
Guess i'll have to have a play..not sure how much security i'm even getting on Low.

Thanks for trying to help though
alex
Posts: 4543
Joined: Thu Feb 27, 2003 5:57 pm

Post by alex »

I'll pm you more data on ip then, not sure they are very useful though.

You cannot just allow certain ports?

If "Medium" goes with 119 port open it means the port is open, you just need to have those ports above open exactly in the same way.

Yes, just try check how you change default settings, how you can open an outbound tcp port in particular, some little customization, they must have something to define custom ports.

Search doesn't require any inbound ports (not listening) so it is pretty innocuous change as to security.

I guess the "Highest" security level if there is such option is when all outgoing and inbounds tcp and udp ports are closed, which is the same as cutting the network cable :)
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