NAT Type - How do I open it?

Does changing my Xbox 360's IP Address open my NAT? What else would? I need anything that will change it.

And I guess I want to keep it strict on my PC, but I can't tell a difference when I got my new Modem that defaults as a Strict NAT Type.

(Give me a detailed answer, I'm stoopid. Consider yourself as writing How to Open Your Xbox 360's NAT Type For Dummies.)

reset your whole system. if it still says strict then change providers. if it says moderate its fine if it says open then no worries

Reset my system?

Reset my system?

realguitarhero5

Now how do I do that? (I have a wired Motorola Netopia)

Now how do I do that? (I have a wired Motorola Netopia)

realguitarhero5

I have the wired router as I said above, but I have to unplug if from my PC and move it to my living room every time I play online. So I'm saying that every single time I play online I have unplugged it from my PC and plugged it in in my living room where my Xbox is.

http://portforward.com/english/routers/port_forwarding/routerindex.htmPick your router and then pick Xbox Live. Follow instructions.

reset your whole system. if it still says strict then change providers. if it says moderate its fine if it says open then no worries

bigM10231

What are you talking about? Change providers? If it says moderate it's fine? "Reset your whole system"? What do any of these statements have to do with helping the OP?

To the OP:

Strict, Moderate and Open NAT are Xbox 360 Live Service concepts related to what ports are opened to the individual XBL enabled device you are using. You mentioned leaving NAT strict on your PC. Do you play XBL games on your PC? If not, then there is not Strict, Moderate and Open NAT on your PC because it doesn't matter. If you do, then you have more than one XBL devices on your network.

To the OP, there are a number of detailed KB articles that explain what the different NAT levels mean and how to enable them. The short answer is this: All network devices get IP addresses. When you don't use a router and have an internet connection, your public IP address assigned by your ISP is given to your computer or Xbox. This is will show up as "Open NAT" because there is no NAT in this case. If you use a router, you can have more than one device access the internet at the same time but the public IP address no longer belongs to your Xbox or Computer, it belongs to your router. When your PC or Xbox go online they use a private IP address assigned by your router to access the internet -through- your public IP address using NAT (or more property PAT but that's another conversation).

That works great for outgoing traffic, but incoming traffic doesn't understand that you have multiple devices. This is what creates a "strict" and "moderate" NAT for XBL. The way you fix this is by one of two methods:

1) Set your router to forward XBL traffic to one XBL device on your network (360 or PC)

2) Enable uPNP (if your router supports it)

The easiest fix is uPNP. uPNP will basically make every XBL device show up as Open NAT on your network. This feature is not supported by all routers, but if yours supports it then all you need to do is turn it on and you're good to go on both your Xbox and PC.

If uPNP isn't an option, then you can manually forward the XBL ports to your Xbox. The best way to do this is to set a static IP address on your Xbox that exists outside the DHCP range of your router but within the subnet of assigned addresses. Then use the following articles to assist you:

http://support.microsoft.com/kb/908880

http://support.microsoft.com/kb/979000/

-Byshop

None of this stuff is helping me. Can't I just change my Xbox 360 IP to open it up?

None of this stuff is helping me. Can't I just change my Xbox 360 IP to open it up?

realguitarhero5

No, it won't. Read my post and read the KB articles. kunal1092000's tutorial link also looks good. These will help you. The only two simple solutions are to either plug your Xbox directly into your modem (you'll probably need to turn off/on your modem each time you do this) when you play -or- enable uPNP on your router (if it supports it).

-Byshop

UPNP just makes it moderate which isnt good enough if you have friends who have strict NAT types so annoying that they can't even join your party if you want it completely opened for xbox live then you do this.

MTU set to 1365

UPNP off

Port forward 53~3074 for both TCP/UDP

DNS1 and DNS2 you can find it in your router addressstatus write it down and manually put it in your xbox settings

Idid this and my nat is finally open

But I have no idea what any of that is or how to do it! I'm stupid! I know! I just have know idea how to 'open up ports'. Is that physically on my modem?

I'm going to say it again: Every time I play Xbox I unplug my modem from my PC, carry it to my TV & Xbox, and plug it in there.

My connection is:

Phone/DSL > Modem

DC Power > Modem

Modem > Xbox via Ethenet cable

Thats it! I can't simplify it more.

But I have no idea what any of that is or how to do it! I'm stupid! I know! I just have know idea how to 'open up ports'. Is that physically on my modem?

I'm going to say it again: Every time I play Xbox I unplug my modem from my PC, carry it to my TV & Xbox, and plug it in there.

My connection is:

Phone/DSL > Modem

DC Power > Modem

Modem > Xbox via Ethenet cable

Thats it! I can't simplify it more.

realguitarhero5

Modem or router? What is the make and model of the device you are describing.

We can help you with this, but it's going to require a bit of effort on your part too. This is a complicated topic and the answer isn't always as easy as just flipping a switch.

-Byshop

UPNP just makes it moderate which isnt good enough if you have friends who have strict NAT types so annoying that they can't even join your party if you want it completely opened for xbox live then you do this.

MTU set to 1365

UPNP off

Port forward 53~3074 for both TCP/UDP

DNS1 and DNS2 you can find it in your router addressstatus write it down and manually put it in your xbox settings

Idid this and my nat is finally open

kessenfan1

No, uPNP creates open NAT for each device on your network (or at least it's supposed to).

-Byshop

[QUOTE="realguitarhero5"]

But I have no idea what any of that is or how to do it! I'm stupid! I know! I just have know idea how to 'open up ports'. Is that physically on my modem?

I'm going to say it again: Every time I play Xbox I unplug my modem from my PC, carry it to my TV & Xbox, and plug it in there.

My connection is:

Phone/DSL > Modem

DC Power > Modem

Modem > Xbox via Ethenet cable

Thats it! I can't simplify it more.

Byshop

Modem or router? What is the make and model of the device you are describing.

We can help you with this, but it's going to require a bit of effort on your part too. This is a complicated topic and the answer isn't always as easy as just flipping a switch.

-Byshop

Under gaming options, there is only a was to make the modem a server for old(really old) PC games.

Under NAT Type/Settings, the only option is to turn it off or on. Obviously I want it on.

It is a Motorola Netopia 2210 Modem. I can't find the uPnP option on my control panel. It looks like this:

Under gaming options, there is only a was to make the modem a server for old(really old) PC games.

Under NAT Type/Settings, the only option is to turn it off or on. Obviously I want it on.

realguitarhero5

Actually, you might not want NAT on. :)

Your device is actually a combination DSL modem/router. In addition to functioning as your DSL modem it also assigns private IP addresses like a router. This is not a terribly uncommon type of device to have so it's not a big deal, but the clarification is helpful for recommending next steps.

NAT does two things that are beneficial. It allows you to use more than one device on the internet at the same time using a single public IP address and it adds additional security because it blocks incomming connections just because of how it works. The first one is great, but it's the second one that messes up XBL.

I've read your manual. Your device supports uPNP, which if it is enabled should just fix all of your problems without any crazy cofiguration or complicated additional steps. uPNP allows your Xbox or PC to dynamically create it's own incomming port forwarding rules as needed.

Consult here for steps on how to do this. Search for the term uPNP.

http://broadband.motorola.com/consumers/products/2210-02/downloads/2210-02-10NA-UserGuide.pdf

Post back with your results.

-Byshop

First, I did disable NAT and I couldn't connect to XBL at all. That's why I said I obviously want it on.

Second, I found the UPnP settings and enabled it- nothing at all has changed, everything is still strict.

Would calling Motorola/Internet Provider help? Could they do anything to change it?

First, I did disable NAT and I couldn't connect to XBL at all. That's why I said I obviously want it on.

Second, I found the UPnP settings and enabled it- nothing at all has changed, everything is still strict.

Would calling Motorola/Internet Provider help? Could they do anything to change it?

realguitarhero5

After enabling uPNP you have to reset all involved devices. Sometimes it takes a sec for uPNP to kick in on an Xbox. Leave uPNP turned on, turn on the Xbox and re-run the test a few times. That is the solution to your problem.

No, Motorola and your ISP won't support this kind of problem.

As for NAT, disabling NAT can fix your issue since it's NAT that's getting in the way, but additional more complicated configuration may be required if NAT has been disabled. If turning it off on your Modem/Router prevented it from working at all then don't worry about that for now.

-Byshop

I'll try restarting my modem (with UPnP) when it's connected to my Xbox a few times and get back to you.