Windows Firewall Port Fix

Description

The Windows Firewall (or Internet Connection Firewall) included in Windows XP blocks ports used by the Pharos components. In Windows XP, the Windows Firewall is off by default, but applying Windows XP Service Pack 2 automatically activates it. If Windows XP Service Pack 2 is applied to an existing Pharos system (or if the Windows Firewall is manually activated after Pharos is installed), the Pharos ports must be opened manually. The batch file openpharosports.bat can be used to automate opening the Pharos ports on all PCs that use the Windows Firewall. It also enables SignUp Client PCs to respond to ICMP pings.

How to Use

The batch file is run from the command line, specifying the location of the Pharos bin directory as a command line parameter, for example:

openpharosports.bat "c:\program files\pharos\bin"

Administrator rights are required to run the batch file. A second batch file, closepharosports.bat, is also available, to close the Pharos ports if necessary. This file is run in the same way as the openpharosports.bat file.

Note: Other applications like Internet Information Services (which some Pharos components use) may also need to have ports opened after the Windows Firewall is activated (port 80, in the case of IIS). See the Release Notes for Service Pack 2 for Microsoft Windows XP for details.

Need Help?

If further assistance is required, contact your Pharos Authorized Reseller.