Router Configuration

If you are this far, then you have verified that your SHOUTcast server is able to be reached from computers on your own network (LAN). Now we have to make sure Internet users can get to it as well.

The concept is simple. Your PC most likely has a private address (10.xxx.xxx.xxx or 192.168.xxx.xxx). Those addresses are reserved for private networks. When you surf the Internet, your private address is translated to a public one. This translation is almost always done by your DSL modem, or a LinkSys/D-Link/Netgear-type router.

The private address your PC has is probably Dynamic - it is provided with an address by the router automatically, but that private address could change each time you reboot your computer.

What are the steps?
There are a couple of things that must be done to allow Internet listeners to tune in reliably to your SHOUTcast server.

1) Your PC must have a static private IP address
By default, most computers get their IP address automatically from a router on the network. This makes surfing easy for the average user, but it makes it impossible for your station to be reliable because every time you reboot your computer, it might end up with a different address!

2) Your router/modem/firewall must forward ports 8000 and 8001 TCP to your PC's static private IP address.

So here's where the fun really begins. Note that if you fail to complete both steps above, your station won't work.

Step 1: Establishing a STATIC IP address
Write down your router and/or DSL modem make and model. (Go and physically look at it!).

Now go here

http://www.portforward.com/networking/staticip.htm

Follow the instructions to set up a Static IP address. You will then have accomplished step 1 - this step takes about 10 minutes to complete.

Step 2 : Forwarding Ports 8000 and 8001 TCP on your router
Go to http://www.portforward.com/routers.htm

Look up your router. If your router isn't there, go to the manufacturer website for help. Click on it. Click the "Default Guide" link and follow the screenshots to forward:

TCP Port 8000 to the Static IP you just gave your PC
TCP Port 8001 to the Static IP you just gave your PC

Save changes, Reboot your router.
You will then have accomplished step 2 - this step takes about 3 minutes to complete.

Check your DNAS logfiles for errors...
At this point, your station should be reachable from the Internet! To be sure, stop the SHOUTcast DNAS, and restart it. If Winamp is playing music, you should see in the DNAS logfile that there is no (nak) error.

NOTE: If the NAK error is gone and replaced by an "added" message from yp.shoutcast.com, your station *is* reachable from the Internet even if you can't reach it yourself! (Some routers do not support U-Turns so for computers inside your network, you must use your Private IP address to connect to SHOUTcast)

If you have a clean logfile, you're all done! Congratulations. Have a friend test your station by giving him/her your link as follows...

http://38.103.63.57:8000/listen.pls

If someone you know can reach the station using the link exactly as above, your station is "Live" (Expect it to take up to 30 minutes for it to appear in the SHOUTcast directory)

But - what if you have errors in your DNAS logfile. If you have the (nak) error, your station is still not visible from the Internet. At this point, you have a couple of options...

1) Repeat the steps in this guide
2) Have a technical friend come help you repeat the steps in this guide
3) If you're sure you did it all correctly, you are positive that you have identified and configured/disabled all PC firewalls and set up Port Forwarding on your router, and you still get the (nak) error, call your ISP and ask if they block ports
4) Visit the SHOUTcast Support forum, and search or post a question along with info on everything you have tried, and your DNAS logfile

Get your logfile from http://127.0.0.1:8000/admin.cgi?mode=viewlog (Use Admin for the username and your DNAS password for the password)

DO NOT use the I Like Tunes contact form for SHOUTcast support.
Your request will be ignored. We're busy here and you wouldn't like how long it will take us to reply. Post your SHOUTcast questions on the SHOUTcast forums.

Hopefully our guide helped you get up and running. If you're a USA webcaster and you play copyrighted work, be sure to check out LoudCity for affordable internet radio licensing - Be legal, and sleep better at night knowing that the RIAA can't touch you.

And finally, if you're running a station that's legal, free and up 24/7,
Join I LIke Tunes and get free exposure for your radio.