What is a firewall?

A firewall is a system designed to restrict access to or from a private network (e.g. an office network) that is connected to the Internet. Almost every company that has an Internet connection will have a firewall. Firewalls are used to implement security. Mostly they will restrict unauthorised users getting into the private network. Occasionally they will enforce restrictions on users within the private network who are trying to get out to the Internet e.g. preventing users from visiting certain websites on the Internet or blocking video streaming over the Internet.

How can I tell if a firewall is blocking my access to the videos?

You may receive an error message about a firewall when trying to view content. If you suspect that a firewall is preventing you from viewing content, the easiest way to check is to contact your IT department or Internet Service Provider (ISP).

How can I access the video/audio content if my company has a firewall in place?

Try the following solutions: If you are using RealPlayer, you may configure it to receive content through HTTP Only. Please refer to the next question for details on how to do this (NB: This solution will not work if all video streaming is being blocked). You can contact your IT department or Internet Service Provider (ISP) to ask them what you can do. If they tell you that the firewall cannot be changed, you have two further options: You can listen to the programming You can read transcripts of the programming

How can I configure RealPlayer to work behind a firewall?

If you suspect that a firewall is preventing you from viewing content, the easiest way to check is to contact your IT department or Internet Service Provider (ISP). To use RealPlayer through a firewall, you can configure it to receive content through HTTP Only. (NB: This solution will not work if all video streaming is being blocked). In RealPlayer G2 follow the steps below: Under the Options menu, select Preferences Select the Transport tab Select Use Specified Transport Click Specify Transports Select Use HTTP Only Click OK In RealPlayer 7 or 8 follow the steps below: Under the View menu, select Preferences Select the Transport tab Select Use Specified Transport. Click the RTSP Settings button Select Use HTTP Only Click OK Click the PNA Settings button Select Use HTTP Only Click OK Click OK to close the Preferences window Please visit http://www.real.com for more information and for details on how to configure other versions of the software.

How can I configure Windows Media Player to work behind a firewall?

If you suspect that a firewall is preventing you from viewing content, the easiest way to check is to contact your IT department or Internet Service Provider (ISP). To use Windows Media Player through a firewall, you can configure it to receive content through HTTP. (NB: This solution will not work if all video streaming is being blocked). In Windows Media Player 6 follow the steps below: Right click within the Media Player window Select Options Select the Advanced tab Ensure that Streaming Media (Windows Media) is highlighted Click the Change button Ensure that the HTTP option is checked Select the Use browser proxy settings option. Alternatively, if you know your proxy address and port number, follow these steps: Select the Use proxy option Click the Configure Proxy Settings button Insert the proxy hostname and port number Click OK Click OK to close the Streaming Media (Windows Media) window Click OK to close the Options window Please visit http://www.windowsmedia.com for more information and for details on how to configure other versions of the software.