a. I can't explain if this different configuration was the reason for my success. If it was, then why did I have success the first time without it?
I don't know if a router would accept port forwarding config without assigning the Local IP address. You said:
Besides inputting a name, the only other field was for my ip address. For that I opened Windows Search < Command Prompt and typed in ipconfig. Then I saved all and logged out of my modem.
Back then did you fill that IP address field?
I switch the Windows computer runniing Core between two stations, each with a different wired connection to the router. Does that mean that my IP address changes accordingly and does that make a difference with respect to router configuration and port forwarding??
If you switch the ethernet port, I don't know for sure, but it's likely. And yes, if the node local IP gets changed, you might have to reconfigure the router settings.
b. Does it matter if I move my computer to different locations (connections)? If so, then every time I move my computer I must get a new IP address for that location and ediit the router configuration?
Some basic thing is your router assigns local IP addresses for every connected device. And in that period, the assigned IP address has a lease time. So if the device hasn't been connected to your router for some period amount of time and/or maybe changing the ethernet port as you did, the router assigned a new different IP.
If you are bothered by it, you could either to
1. Add some router configuration to assign a specific IP address based on MAC address of your device.
2. Manually set up the local IP of the device on your device network configuration. See how:
https://www.tp-link.com/us/support/faq/919/