How to Configure a User's Firewall for Slingbox

With the risk posed by computer viruses and other malware, it is important for you to maintain security on your computer. Among the tools that you may want to use are anti-virus programs, anti-spyware programs, and a firewall. If you are trying to use your Slingbox on your computer and are having difficulty, you may need to configure your firewall to work with the Slingbox.

Things You'll Need

• Computer with administrative privileges
• Slingbox
• Router

Instructions

Determine Whether the User's Firewall Is Affecting the Slingbox

1. Try to access the Slingbox on from a computer connected to your network. If the SlingPlayer software on a user's computer is unable to connect to the Slingbox, you may need to configure the user's firewall.

2. Check the network connections for the Slingbox and the computer. The Slingbox and computer that is being used to access it should both be connected to the router.

3. Check your router. It may have activity lights to indicate whether particular network jacks have devices connected.

Set Up Firewall Software to Access the Slingbox

1. Log into an administrator account on the computer. You may be making changes to the firewall settings and you will need administrative privileges.

2. Disconnect the router from its Internet access. You will need to determine whether the firewall software is preventing the user from accessing the Slingbox. If you are still connected to the Internet after shutting down the firewall, the computer may be vulnerable to malicious activity from the Internet.

3. Disable the firewall on the computer to determine whether this is the problem. If you are able to launch the SlingPlayer software successfully when you do this, you will need to make changes to your firewall settings.

4. Restore your firewall and Internet connection.

5. Launch the SlingPlayer software. The firewall software may display a warning message prompting the user to to grant or deny access to the Slingbox. Grant access to configure the firewall on the computer to allow the user to connect to the Slingbox.

Tips & Warnings

• If the activity lights on the router do not indicate that there's a problem with connection, make sure that the devices are connected to the electrical outlet. If the devices are properly connected, you may need to replace the user's LAN cables.

• If you are not prompted by the firewall to allow access to the Slingbox, you will need to configure your firewall software manually to allow access. Consult the manual with the firewall software for more detailed instructions.

• The router may have a firewall built into it that needs to be configured. When you initially configure the Slingbox, there are instructions for configuring many popular routers.