Access Remote Computer Connected to Router

Betty R. writes:

" I have certainly enjoyed the newsletter as it contains very important information that I cannot find anywhere else. Thanks for that, and I have downloaded your eBook to lean how to install a hard drive.

http://www.infopackets.com/how+to+install+a+hard+drive.htm

My problem is that I am trying to set up my computer to act as as game server. To do this, I need to give other users my IP (Internet Protocol) address. Normally this would be an easy task, but my computer is sharing an Internet connection via a router.

I have several computer friends in other states with whom I can connect, but none of them can connect to mine. I am running WinXP Pro and cable internet access. Any information you can provide for this problem will be greatly appreciated. "

Side note: " On the Internet, a router is a device or, in some cases, software in a computer, that determines the next network point to which a packet [of information] should be forwarded toward its destination [computer or web site]. The router is connected to at least two networks and decides which way to send each information packet based on its current understanding of the state of the networks it is connected to. A router is located at any gateway (where one network meets another), including each Internet point-of-presence. A router is often included as part of a network switch. " (Source: newworldpartnership.com)

My response:

Excellent question.

As luck would have it, just yesterday my roommate asked me a similar question which dealt with setting up an IP address so that he could access his home (laptop) computer from the University. Unfortunately, I didn't know how to go about doing this because all of the computers in our apartment are sharing an Internet connection with a router.

In a nutshell, each computer uses a unique IP address which is assigned by the router, and then the router uses the IP address assigned by my ISP to communicate to other computers on the Internet. When I type in "ipconfig" in DOS on my computer, I see:

Ethernet adapter Cable Modem: Connection-specific DNS Suffix wido3.on.cogeco.ca IP Address 192.168.1.101 * Subnet Mask 255.255.255.0 Default Gateway 192.168.1.1 **

Side note: * = My computer's local IP address assigned by the Router; ** = Gateway IP used by Router, which maps to IP 24.x.x.x, assigned by my Internet Provider

Hope that helps!