Automatic Port Forwarding

[Eyrer]

Two questions.
Would someone please explain how Subsonic is achieving automatic Port Forwarding? I have an Actiontec FV2200 DSl Modem that appears to have the Firmware locked so as not to allow any changes to default settings. I finally logged in to Subsonic and checked the automatic Port Forward setting and this is what finally worked to allow access from outside my network. The ports are now actually showing as forwarded on the Actiontec router. Thank You.
Second question.
I have been using a particular "username" for my "username.subsonic.org since starting to use Subsonic. Recently when I try and enter this same "username.subsonic.org" I receive the message that is already in use? Thank You.

[alphawave7]

Info is sparse on that model (Frontier specific?), but I can assume it has UPnP enabled, which allows for port designations to be handled automatically. Often, this is either poorly implemented or turned off on many modems/routers, and this setting in Subsonic is routinely an unreliable way to get the port open...you're quite lucky!
'Already in use' sometimes means you need to re-enter your reg code, but here's another (of many) thread on the topic:
viewtopic.php?f=2&t=9334