2disbetter, you made a good point about the futility of configuring the cellular data service for web server hosting.
That fact, I understand. MVNOs just don’t go for port forwarding because that feature is within the specialized field of the ISPs.
Still, with smartphone technology popping about, one cannot just turn away from the possibility of innovation. I am sure that the Librem 5 is considered as an example.
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Like Don Quixote, I press onwards.
In terms of using the fwd app .apk, I see that using apk emulators would be a hassle. Not to mention privacy issue concerns. Check this topic for reference. Is it possible to use Android apps on the Librem 5?
Especially check this announcement page. Google Play server infects smartphone clients with adware! https://puri.sm/posts/how-pureos-can-stop-devices-from-being-infected-with-intrusive-adware/
I decided to try the iptables/nftables. I have reached some snag of a conclusion.
One of the biggest hurdles for cellular data service as web server host is that its Cloned MAC address mode is not configurable (the parameter for such type of service is non-existent). The cellular data service provider or the smartphone OS build itself, sets that setting in stone. That means, IP addresses will change overtime. Even the public IP addresses change! It’s smartphone client focus, what else is new? In addition, access to port forwarding features by cellular data modem cli/gui interface (on client side) is not readily available, otherwise, you would have to make the necessary components, firmware, and software. Nevermind the firewall configurations (update required for each IP address change).
My next step is a creation of the mobile hotspot from the cellular data service. It’s technically wifi (from the cellular data service) and the port forwarding access is pretty much the same result, but hey, you have a better chance of permanent public IP addresses? This move might be at least something than nothing.
As 2disbetter mentioned, MVNO means mobile virtual network operator, which means that technically, the network is a virtual type of network. That could mean that the real/physical network hosting the virtual network could be a internet network that hosts software as combined cellular data service components of hardware and software network resources and network functionality. As to determine if the virtual network is external or internal virtualization, I have no idea. Due to restrictions on the cellular data modem’s capabilities, I would say internal virtualization is the mobile virtual network’s structure. To this date, there is no cellular data modem’s cli/gui interface (on client side) of mobile virtual network to access port forwarding.
If I fail here (which I did), I can go for the wifi connection of internet router option. At least the router does allow port forwarding. Cloned MAC address mode can be set to permanent for less maintenance. Hardware problem is that you will have to make sure that both router and phone server is active and working correctly. Limit in router’s wifi radius vicinity would restrict/nullify the hosting smartphone device’s ability as a mobile/portable server. I would say that this option might be the easiest, but electric costly option. In addition, you might have to tolerate the router’s 24/7 light during sleep and maintain specific device access. It does not seem good for the environment! It does not seem good for you!
Back to using cellular data service, I might go for remote.it zero trust network (connectivity) service (https://www.remote.it/benefits) as third party host or something like that. In addition, I believe that certain VPNs allow port forwarding features (e.g. https://www.ivpn.net/pricing/). While usually not considered free service, its a kill of two birds (features virtual proxy and port forwarding services) with one stone. Maybe, a free VPN can allow port forwarding? I certainly hope so! HOWEVER, and that’s a big however, free services come at a price of invasion of privacy issues. Same goes for zero trust network (connectivity) services.
I’m done for today, but at least I know the current limitations of current cellular data service capabilities. There might be future developments from these limitations.
I will explore and compare the last two options (zero trust network [connectivity] service versus/with virtual private network [no data traffic anonymization details such yet {e.g. The Onion Router ((TOR)) and Invisible Internet Project ((I2P))}]) involving cellular data service. While I do like remote.it’s concepts of zero trust network (connectivity) services, the free plan comes with hesitation on privacy invasion issues as data mining, psychometrics, surveillance capitalism, surveillance industrialism, corporatocracy (not corporatism as tool), corporate warfare, espionage, (industrial) sabotage, government surveillance, surveillance totalitarianism, and surveillance imperialism. So it’s a search for surveillance activities under free plans and then research of concepts. Until then.
The two links are just for reference.