How do you change your NAT (Router thing?)?

Question

Alright, I have trouble getting into some of my friend's parties on XBox Live. It says my NAT is limited or closed. Something like that...

My question is that if there is a way of changing your NAT, how can I?

Answer 1

You need to enter the router configuration. How you do this varies by model, but usually involves typing your gateway address into a web browser. Then, you need to assign your xbox an internal IP address and activate port triggering or forwarding (depending on the sophistication of your device) to send information on the designated ports to the Xbox.

Answer 2

Change Nat Type On Router

Answer 3

That's a little interesting. NAT (network address translation) is the way you can have multiple computers on a single IP address, your router typically does it. See when you pay for internet what you're paying for is an IP address so that you can talk to the world (heaven knows you aren't paying for the great customer service) anyways when you have multiple systems in your house accessing the internet they can't all talk at the same time or the sites you try to access would know who to send the info to. This is where NAT comes in. Your router assigns private IP addresses to every system in you network and keeps track of who asks for what but translates the request for info into just the IP address you got from your ISP and translates it back when the info returns and sends it to the correct system. So it sounds like you may need a firmware update on your router or a new router. It could also be a configuration problem, but not likely.

Answer 4

The first individual gave you good advice, and I wish to add to it by offering you some actual assistance by way of a link to some very good instructions:

http://www.portforward.com/default.htm

Now, avoid Port Triggering if at all possible. Before you follow any of these instructions, read what Port Forwarding is, and what Port Triggering is, and what it does.

Your router may have some built in forwarding, so check it out and see if you can locate your manual on those pages. This website has many manuals for such configurations, but it is best to do what you can in your router on your own.

What you need to look for on your router configuration pages is the Virtual settings. The page will have a drop down list with several dozen options to choose from. You will need to know what type of service or program allows the Xbox Live parties, and then look for it in the list. If it is in the list, click on it, and it will automatically be added to the list.

Another option you need to consider is enabling UpnP, in your router, which enabled your programs to talk to the router and make configurations automatically within the router automatically without any input from you. Locate that setting in your config pages and enabled it as it usually ships disabled on routers. After you enable this option, see if you can properly connect to the party before setting any ports manually or in the routers virtual config page.

If it doesn't work, leave it enabled, but locate your program in the list. If it is not there, then use the link I gave you to locate your router, and the program you need to use.

The worst scenario is that you will need to contact Microsoft with questions on how to setup Xbox Live as you need it in your router, or your computer manufacturer. You may even want to consider contacting the manufacturer of your router and see if the tech department can help you configure this properly.

Good luck and much fun with your parties.