If you do online gaming through a Console/PC or have certain wireless security cameras, you may have seen an error “Strict NAT Type,” or “NAT Type 3.”
This is because devices (usually gaming systems) are having a hard time reaching outside of your network to connect with servers using non-standard ports.
Because we are not the carrier, we do not control the NAT (Network Address Translation) Type assigned by the cell tower. The assigned type is based on the routing equipment used by the carrier as well as the destination and origin of the connection.
While we can’t control it, there are a few things we can do to influence it to choose the correct type.
1) Enable UPnP
This section applies only to the Black Cat 18 Router (C4R800). The White Cat 6 Router (GL-X750) has this feature enabled by default.
Universal Plug and Play (UPnP) allows devices inside the network to open ports of the router as needed to communicate outside. Gaming console use this to connect to game servers on ports unique to the game itself. If these ports are closed and UPnP is not enabled, matchmaking will not function.
This feature may already be enabled on your router. See instructions at end.
2) Port Forward or Set up the DMZ
You can manually open the needed ports on the router specified by
each device or game you are trying to play. This is difficult and not
recommended.
The better option is to enable the DMZ, which will forward all
incoming packets to one specific device. By specifying your gaming
system, you essentially open all ports for this device. See instructions at end.
3) Setup a VPN Service
A Virtual Private Network is a 3rd party that acts as a mail-forwarding service for Internet packets. By altering the “Destination,” of the connection, it generally alters the NAT-Type. See our Blog post about VPNs for more details.
This option usually works for all customers whereas the first two
options don’t always fix the problem, however most VPN services are not
free, so you should try options 1 and 2 first unless you already have a
VPN service available.
Instructions
To see instructions for your device, click the appropriate button below.
Cat 18 C4R800 Radio
You can log in to the router by typing 192.168.2.1 into a web browser
Username: admin
Password: admin
In the side-panel on the left, Click Advanced Settings. Then Click WAN
You should see several tabs at the top now. Click the one that says Port Forwarding.
Make sure Plug and Play is turned on (UPnP)
To set your own forwarding rules, check manually forwarding at the bottom and create them down below.
If you wish to use the DMZ instead it should be visible in another tab.
You will need to provide the IP address of your gaming system to the DMZ in the “Exposed Station” box.
You can find this IP From the client Section of the home page (third option right above the globe)
Note: that Net All Over is not responsible for any security problems resulting from the improper setup of open ports This is not really an issue with consoles or security cameras, but if you are trying to expose a PC or other devices, you should make sure they have a Firewall of their own.
Cat 6 GL-X750
You can log in to the router by typing 192.168.8.1 into a web browser
Username: root
Password: 1234554321
In the side-panel on the left, Click Firewall
You should see several tabs at the top now.
You can open ports or set your own forwarding rules here.
To use the DMZ, click the “OpenDMZ” switch. You will need to provide the
IP address of your gaming system to the DMZ tab in the “DMZ Host IP” box.
You can find this IP From the Clients section in the side-panel on the left.
Note: that Net All Over is not responsible for any security problems resulting from the improper setup of open ports This is not really an issue with consoles or security cameras, but if you are trying to expose a PC or other devices, you should make sure they have a Firewall of their own.
