[Sentry]

With all the confusion in the air about NATs I decided to make a write up explaining NAT and ways to open it.

NAT is used in routers to rechannel connections to their appropriate destinations. When your NAT is 'Open", that means your Xbox is freely connecting to everyone as it should be. A closed or moderate NAT, which is very common, might mean your connection options are limited or even outright blocked.



Now, let's figure out how to open your NAT. There are multiple ways to go about doing this.

1. UPnP
2. Port Forwarding
3. DMZ
4. Direct Connect

UPnP- Make sure your UPnP (Universal Plug and Play) setting is enabled. Skip to the next step to learn how.

Another way to open (or at least help open) your NAT is to forward ports. Port forwarding assigns your router to open and direct connections coming in on certain ports to a set local ip address. Basically, it makes sure connections are going straight to your 360.


Steps for Opening a Linksys NAT:

1. Open your web browser (aka, this^)
2. Type in the address bar: 192.168.1.1
3. At the login window, leave the username blank, password is admin (normally)
   
   
   
   
   
4. Once you are in, click on the administration tab
   
   
   
   
5. Make sure UPnP is enabled
6. Save and test your connection

If this didn't work, or if your NAT is still 'moderate', continue.

1. Go back into your router (192.168.1.1)
2. Click on the Applications & Gaming tab
   
   
   
   
3. In the box where it says 'start' and 'end', type 3074 for both, leave it on BOTH
4. For the IP address: Pick any number from 100~150 (remember this number)
5. Check the enable box
6. Do the same for the port UDP 88, except where it says BOTH, change it to UDP
7. Save settings and exit

It has only recently come to my attention that some people are having luck by also forwarding TCP and UDP protocol port 53. I don't have an Xbox to test and see if that's true but I'm sure it wouldn't hurt to try.

I have seen portforward.com's guide on also forwarding UDP port 80 to your Xbox. This makes absolutely no sense to me why you would need this done, and most ISP's block this incoming port anyways to keep people from hosting websites and eating up bandwidth. Use this if you want, I don't suggest it though.


Now that you have your router programmed to forward you ports, you must assign your 360 a static IP. Go into your dashboard-->System Blade-->Network Settings-->IP Address--> Manual

1. Change your IP address to 192.168.1.(insert number you picked here)
2. For Subnet Mask: 255.255.255.0
3. For Gateway (your router's IP) : 192.168.1.1
4. Hit done and test your Xbox Live Connection

If all is well and your NAT is 'Open', you can stop here and continue playing Halo 3. If your NAT says 'Moderate', you have one more quick step.


Setting a DMZ IP:

1. Go back into your router: 192.168.1.1
2. Click Applications & Gaming
3. Click DMZ (demilitarized zone)
   
   
   
4. Set your DMZ IP to your 360 IP (you just set this in your dashboard)
5. Save settings and exit

Turn off your 360 and power it on to your dashboard. Test your Xbox Live connection and make sure your NAT is 'Open'. If it is still not open, you made a mistake and should retrace your steps and verify all the settings listed.

For everyone else, congratulations! Remember, if you move you 360 to a new location (for instance another person's house) you will have to set it back to automatic settings in your dashboard or you might have connection problems.

[Sentry]

Steps for Opening a Netgear/Belkin/D-Link NAT:

1. Open your web browser (aka, this^)
2. Type in the address bar: 192.168.0.1 Netgear Users: If this doesn't work, try 192.168.1.1
   Newer D-Link routers may also have to try: 192.168.2.1
3. At the login window, type the router password
   
   Netgear Users: Username: admin Password: password
   Belkin Users: Username: admin Password: password (normally)
   D-Link Users: Username: admin Password: (blank)
   
   If you are still having problems getting in, try this link.
   
   
4. Once you are in, browse the different tabs and look for UPnP
5. Once you find it, enable it
6. Save and test your XBL connection

If UPnP isn't fixing your problem, or your NAT is still 'moderate', continue to the next step.

1. Click on the 'Services' tab (Netgear users: Security-->Rules) This is your port forwarding page.
2. In the box where it says 'start' and 'end', type 3074 for both, make it TCP & UDP
3. For the IP address: Pick any number from 100~250 (remember this number)
4. Do the same for the port UDP 88, except where it says BOTH, change it to UDP only
5. Save settings and exit

It has only recently come to my attention that some people are having luck by also forwarding TCP and UDP protocol port 53. I don't have an Xbox to test and see if that's true but I'm sure it wouldn't hurt to try.

I have seen portforward.com's guide on also forwarding UDP port 80 to your Xbox. This makes absolutely no sense to me why you would need this done, and most ISP's block this incoming port anyways to keep people from hosting websites and eating up bandwidth. Use this if you want, I don't suggest it though.


Now that you have your router programmed to forward you ports, you must assign your 360 a static IP. Go into your dashboard-->System Blade-->Network Settings-->IP Address--> Manual

1. Change your IP address to 192.168.0.(insert number you picked here)
2. For Subnet Mask: 255.255.255.0
3. For Gateway (your router's IP) : 192.168.0.1
   
   Remember! Your gateway is the same number that you used to login to the router, so if you used 192.168.2.1, then that is was you put as the gateway. If you used 192.168.1.0, then you would put that, ect.
   
   
4. Hit done and test your Xbox Live Connection

If all is well and your NAT is 'Open', you can stop here and continue playing Halo 3. If your NAT says 'Moderate', you have one more quick step.


Setting a DMZ IP:

1. Go back into your router: 192.168.0.1
2. Click 'Services' (Netgear users: Security-->Rules)
3. Click DMZ (demilitarized zone)
4. Set your DMZ IP to your 360 IP (you just set this in your dashboard)
5. Save settings and exit

Turn off your 360 and power it on to your dashboard. Test your Xbox Live connection and make sure your NAT is 'Open'. If it is still not open, you made a mistake and should retrace your steps and verify all the settings listed.

For everyone else, congratulations! Remember, if you move you 360 to a new location (for instance another person's house) you will have to set it back to automatic settings in your dashboard or you might have connection problems.




Steps for opening NAT for Actiontec Router MI424WR
(Comes with Verizon FIOS) (thanks to I F0CUS I)

How To Open NAT

Note, through out this procedure you will get a Warning that says -
"Any changes made in this section may affect your routers performance and configuration.

Do you Wish to Proceed?"

You must click Yes.

I am not responsible for any problems, but will gladly help.

1. Log into Xbox Live.
2. Get your Xbox 360's IP Address. (Should be 192.168.1.xxx
3. Type 192.168.1.1 into your Browser
4. Log in.
5. Under "My Network" In the Center, you should see your Xbox 360's IP Address, Click on the Computer Icon Next to It.
6. Find your Xbox 360 again and Click "Rename this Device"
7. Rename it to Xbox 360.
8. Click on My Network (top Center).
9. Find your Xbox 360 and click "Enable Applications."
10. Next to "Protocol" from the Drop-Down Menu, click "Show All Services"
11. Select "XBoX."
12. Click Apply.




Direct Connect

A last alternative, without going into technical support/discussion, is to directly connect your Xbox to your modem. While this is most of the time an unnecessary step, it will effectively bypass your router and thus fix your problem. I do not recommend this, but if you are desperate tonight and do not feel like going through these steps, it is an option. I would just like to point out, if your modem has 4 ethernet ports on the back, you have a router/modem all-in-one. Your direct connect will not work because you still have a router restricting your NAT. And, do remember that whenever you swap from modem->router to modem->xbox/pc you HAVE to reset that modem in order for it to reassign that WAN ip.


Upgrading your Firmware

Many people are getting through the tutorial without any avail, and most of them ended up having old firmware for their router. If you followed the instructions above, and still have a strict NAT, try going to your router's website and download new firmware. Once done, you will find an option in your router's config page that lets you upload newer firmware. Once you've upgraded, try the steps again. Another thing to note on this, is please be careful when you do any kind of changes to the firmware. Whenever you are uploading new firmware, be patient and let it load no matter how long it's taking. A reset on a router that's undergoing a firmware upgrade is going to turn that router into a useless paper weight real quick.


Factory Defaults

Another thing I found recently that worked when all else didn't was the factory reset option. A lot of the times, after tinkering with your router, you can get confused and enable/disable something that could hinder your connectivity. Resetting to factory defaults will clear out anything you might have done wrong and leaves you with a clean slate to work with. If DMZ does not work for you, and you have a linksys router, try this. It recently fixed one of my friends routers even when DMZ didn't. You can activate this from inside the router menu, or you can hold the reset button on the back of your router.

Setting DNS Servers

As an optional step, especially if you are having DNS issues, you can attempt manually setting your DNS servers. I recommend this only to advanced users who know the basics of command prompt. Typing the wrong thing in could lead your computer to it's death, but all in all it's pretty safe, but I'm still putting the disclaimer out there in case someone deletes their windows directory. :P

1. In Windows 2000/NT/XP/Vista, go to your command prompt in accessories or Run->cmd
2. Type in ipconfig/all
   
   
   
   
3. Set this to your primary and secondary DNS servers in your xbox network settings.

Additional Support Pages:

http://portforward.com/
http://support.microsoft.com/kb/908874?sd=xbox
http://support.microsoft.com/kb/908880?sd=xbox
http://www.xbox.com/en-GB/support/xb.../dashboard.htm
Default Password List

List of Xbox Live compatible routers

(If I had a brain dysfunction anywhere in this I'm sorry, it's late)



Memo:

If your modem is also your router, or if your network looks way different from the image below, or if you have an off brand router not certified to be Xbox Live compatible, this guide may not work!



As you can see, the internet goes to the modem-->router-->Xbox, PC's, ect. Anything different and it is going to be difficult for me to guide you through it because I may not have used your particular router and modem.

Google.com will be a lifesaver in this event. Simply type the name of your router and include the words NAT and DMZ and I can almost guarantee you that somewhere in a forum far, far away, somebody already has your question answered.

Special thanks to portforward.com for the awesome pics.

[SnaKKer]

Fortunately, I don't have a problem with this, but several of my friends do, and it's really frustrating. Looks really helpful.

[RYAN-the-LION]

thanks man, that helped a lot!!!! its good to see people willing to help

[InfiniteNew]

With my Dlink, and another friends Dlink port forwarding didn't work, but the DMZ did. Little tip for those dlink people.

[FoH_Valakas]

as far as nat and port forwarding goes... port forwarding is only for routers that are typically way out of date... and doesnt have nat in the router... i had this issue.. so ive done alot of research in to it.. best way to avoid all this is to go to xbox.com and look at the list of compatible routers and get one of those... i know this isnt all ways an option... another thing u might have to look at is not all firmware for routers r xbox live compatible.. so that could be an issue...

another fix is if ur router has UPNP (Universal plug n play) enable that and it can open up ur nat... but 90% of the time port forwarding isnt going to fix it..

another thought on port forwarding is that its best to give ur xbox a static ip that isnt assigned by the router... routers have a small range usually... but a maximum of 250... they usually by default have a range of about 50 they assign..

[ShadyIIV]

I have a problem that no one ever solved. :'( I want to "open" the NAT, but play with 2 Xboxes on one Router.
Problem is, - Its not possible to use one port for two systems. So when the Ports are open and the xboxes are "forced" to use them only one Xbox can be signed in to Xbox Live at one time.

Too bad Micrsoft hasnt built in an option for that, - like giving us the opertunity to select between different Ports in the Dashboard..

[IIR3PTILEII]

you may need to reset all of your stuff, i know when my NAT goes to moderate once in a while, i have to re-enter my port ranges and redo my DMZ and reset my modem and router, this stuff works, and if you need a picture tutorial you can find one

here: http://hushedcasket.com/node/1724

[Sentry]

Originally Posted by ShadyIIV

I have a problem that no one ever solved. :'( I want to "open" the NAT, but play with 2 Xboxes on one Router.
Problem is, - Its not possible to use one port for two systems. So when the Ports are open and the xboxes are "forced" to use them only one Xbox can be signed in to Xbox Live at one time.

Too bad Micrsoft hasnt built in an option for that, - like giving us the opertunity to select between different Ports in the Dashboard..

What kind of router? Try going back to default router settings and enabling UPnP.

If that doesn't you probably need to buy a new XBL compatible router. If yours is listed as compatible, that means you need newer firmware.

[Kaotik.]

thanks man thats like +rep