Port forwarding is the process of allowing external devices to access a specific service or application running on a private network. To check if a port is forwarded, you can use various methods such as online port scanners, command-line tools, or specific software designed for port forwarding management.
Port forwarding offers several benefits and is crucial in scenarios like remote access, hosting web servers, running multiplayer games, and accessing specific devices behind a router or firewall. Historically, port forwarding has been a common practice for enabling remote access and connectivity across networks.