Can you also access it via web locally?
You can access the ObserverIP locally to do the setup and calibration. There is also a tab to display Live Data (figure 25) in the OIP manual. You also use this tab to set/reset rain totals if you need to. It is more for troubleshooting and not very useful for every day observation.
The newest firmware version of the OIP disables Telnet to OIP so I don't think you will be able to change port 80.
Has the wireless and Internet been reliable?
I my case, yes. The indoor unit loose connection to the OIP every now and then for a short time period, but I think it is due to the location of the indoor unit to the OIP. I placed the OIP to have best connection to the outdoor unit.
Out the box it post data to WU and Ambient weather to view your data remotely.
Hope this help.