Local connection
Setting up port forwarding
for one or more devices.
A direct, local connection between Voltahub and your own device, without the manufacturer's cloud and without the Voltahub Bridge.
Port forwarding is one of the ways to connect a device to Voltahub: you open a port on your own router so we can reach the device in your home directly. It's the most technical of the connection methods and requires networking knowledge. Not sure this is for you, check the other options on the connecting page.
When to choose this
Port forwarding mainly suits advanced users with a device that doesn't offer a cloud connection and for which you don't want to use a Voltahub Bridge either. If you don't need that choice, a cloud connection, Home Assistant or the Voltahub Bridge is simpler and safer.
How to set it up
The exact steps differ per router brand, but come down to the following.
- 1
Give your device a fixed local IP address
Set up a DHCP reservation in your router for the device, so it always gets the same local IP address (for example 192.168.1.50). Without a fixed address, the port may point to the wrong device after a router restart.
- 2
Open a port on your router
In the router settings, choose port forwarding (sometimes called 'virtual server' or 'NAT forwarding') and connect an external port to the local IP address and port of your device.
- 3
Restrict access where possible
If your router allows restricting port forwarding to specific IP addresses, do so and only allow our servers. Without that restriction, anyone on the internet can in principle reach the device.
- 4
Use a Dynamic DNS address
At home you usually have a dynamic IP address: your provider can change it at any time, which breaks the connection. Register a free Dynamic DNS address (for example via your router manufacturer) and use that address instead of a bare IP address.
- 5
Enter the details in Voltahub
Enter your WAN address (IP or Dynamic DNS address) and the chosen port for the integration. You only need to enter the WAN address once per home, even if you add more devices later.
Multiple devices at once
If you have several devices you want to connect via port forwarding, you don't need a separate WAN address for each one. Voltahub uses one WAN address per home; for each device you then open its own port on your router and enter only that port number for the relevant connection. That way, one router address stays reusable for all your local connections.
Security: what to watch out for
An open port is the biggest security risk of this method. Take the points below seriously.
- Only open the port you need, and never more than that.
- Restrict the port forward to our server IP addresses if your router supports it.
- Don't use default passwords on the connected device itself.
- Regularly check whether the connection and the open port are still needed, and close the port if not.
- If you're unsure about your network's security, choose the Voltahub Bridge or a cloud connection instead.
Frequently asked questions
What if my IP address changes?
Use a Dynamic DNS address instead of a fixed IP address. That way the connection keeps working, even if your provider assigns you a new IP address.
Which port should I choose?
Usually the default port of your device's protocol, unless your router already uses that port for something else. In that case, choose a different external port and map it to the device's original port.
Is port forwarding safe?
Less safe than a cloud connection or the Voltahub Bridge, because you're opening a port to the internet yourself. Following the security points above limits the risk, but doesn't eliminate it.
Can I switch to another connection method later?
Yes, you can change a device's connection method at any time. Afterwards, close the open port on your router, since you won't need it anymore.
Ready to connect
See all connection methods and choose what fits your situation best.