I have a question about port forwarding over vpn, please.

A tracker I use monitors connectability and because I use a firewall vpn that does not support port forwarding I am listed as 'unconnectable'. Despite this, qBittorrent WEBUI regularly shows uploads and when I check, the tracker is registering those uploads. However, they are telling me that I should be 'connectable' to get more uploads. My reasons for using a VPN are my own and I will not change my configuration for them so long as I am able to maintain acceptable ratios.

I have contacted my vpn provider and they tell me that they offer port forwarding over vpn only with their desktop client. However, I cannot do that because I have the vpn configured on my firewall. So, because i am unable to use port forwarding over vpn I am listed as 'unconnectable'. I assume this is the case with other trackers but they don't seem to care.

So technically speaking, why are uploads 'reduced' because port forwarding is not available (in this case because vpn does not support it)? I mean, I'm still seeing SOME connections and reasonable uploads. Why are some clients able to connect and others not?

Thanks in advance!

Originally Posted by Dragonbouche

I have a question about port forwarding over vpn, please.

A tracker I use monitors connectability and because I use a firewall vpn that does not support port forwarding I am listed as 'unconnectable'. Despite this, qBittorrent WEBUI regularly shows uploads and when I check, the tracker is registering those uploads. However, they are telling me that I should be 'connectable' to get more uploads. My reasons for using a VPN are my own and I will not change my configuration for them so long as I am able to maintain acceptable ratios.

I have contacted my vpn provider and they tell me that they offer port forwarding over vpn only with their desktop client. However, I cannot do that because I have the vpn configured on my firewall. So, because i am unable to use port forwarding over vpn I am listed as 'unconnectable'. I assume this is the case with other trackers but they don't seem to care.

So technically speaking, why are uploads 'reduced' because port forwarding is not available (in this case because vpn does not support it)? I mean, I'm still seeing SOME connections and reasonable uploads. Why are some clients able to connect and others not?

Thanks in advance!

It's all depends on the your setup.
I have Airvpn with port forwarding, and for me it shows connectable in all trackers. I set up same ports in rtorrent and opened the port in airvpn website.

Port open / forwarding can make big difference only when there are low seeders. Or if you are only seeder, but your ports are closed, then leechers will not reach you.

Otherwise, in hot new torrents like major box office releases, open or closed ports will not make much difference.

Thanks so very much for your reply!

Originally Posted by capricorn

It's all depends on the your setup.
I have Airvpn with port forwarding, and for me it shows connectable in all trackers. I set up same ports in rtorrent and opened the port in airvpn website.

Is Airvpn a desktop client app or configured router interface? I cannot use an app because my system is automated and only specific traffic is routed through vpn on the router. My vpn provider tells me that I can make it work if I use their desktop app and even then the port would be dynamic (established by them).

Originally Posted by capricorn

Port open / forwarding can make big difference only when there are low seeders. Or if you are only seeder, but your ports are closed, then leechers will not reach you.

This is the basis for my question. Why can some connect with forwarding off and some not? I'd really like to understand the technical reason for this.

Originally Posted by capricorn

Otherwise, in hot new torrents like major box office releases, open or closed ports will not make much difference.

I understand. Newer releases naturally have larger swarms and so more chance of connections. Id just really like to know why some can and others cannot connect with port forwarding turned off.

Thanks again!

Originally Posted by Dragonbouche

Thanks so very much for your reply!


Is Airvpn a desktop client app or configured router interface? I cannot use an app because my system is automated and only specific traffic is routed through vpn on the router. My vpn provider tells me that I can make it work if I use their desktop app and even then the port would be dynamic (established by them).



This is the basis for my question. Why can some connect with forwarding off and some not? I'd really like to understand the technical reason for this.



I understand. Newer releases naturally have larger swarms and so more chance of connections. Id just really like to know why some can and others cannot connect with port forwarding turned off.

Thanks again!

Airvpn servers, they provide all sorts of apps for linux, windows and mac and dd-wrt routers. They have fixed open port.

Honestly I don't know how seeders and leechers connect with closed ports, it's all dependent on peering between isp, routing, and many other factors, I don't really know.