Delayed death is the worst thing that can happen to an online gamer. But did you know that it’s not always caused by slow internet speeds? Contrary to popular belief, this is usually a problem with your NAT type, and won't be solved by simply calling your internet service provider.
Network Address Translation, or NAT, is a network system that provides a way to modify a local IP address to a broader Internet address. This is how you are able to use a single IP address on many devices on the same local network.
NAT, as part of a router, essentially turns your router into the middle manager between your local network and the wider internet. However, there is more than one NAT. In fact, these three differ from each other in terms of speed and security. Depending on your preference, you can choose one of three. But what are these and why would you choose one over the other? Here are more.
There are three different NAT types – open, medium, and strict. Just by their name, you can tell the services they offer. Here's everything you need to know.
This is the most liberal NAT type. There are no data limits and all ports are open to transfer data packets to your device, thus ensuring speed. Open NAT types can also easily connect to other types of NAT. But there's also no firewall, which means you're vulnerable to malware, online hackers, and other types of online harm. However, if your priority is a smooth online experience without buffering or lag, then the open NAT type is best.
The second type of NAT is more secure. Having a few open ports along with a firewall can go a long way in protecting your network. But this security comes at the cost of speed. Moderate NAT may introduce some buffering and lag compared to open NAT.
Last but not least, besides speed, is strict NAT. Because this type of NAT prioritizes security, speed is usually the first tradeoff. You'll experience quite a bit of lag and buffering, as well as some network issues when using this NAT type. It will also only connect to open NAT types, which may cause more network issues. But because they are best at preventing online attacks, NAT types are usually set as the default on most routers.
Understanding the uses of the three NAT types will help you make a decision based on their risk-reward ratio and your preferences. As you know by now, Open NAT is the least secure of them all, but it's also the fastest. And strict NAT is the most secure and slowest. Moderate NAT strikes the sweet spot between the two.
With all that said, how do you check your current NAT type? There are several ways to do this.
The Xbox Console Companion App provides the easiest way to check the NAT type. To do this, press Start, type Xbox, and select Xbox Console Companion.
#If you don’t have the Xbox Console Companion app, open the Microsoft Store from the Start menu. Then search for the Xbox Console Companion app and select it.
Click to get .
After installation, click "Open".
In the Console companion app, click Settings (the gear icon) in the sidebar.
Network" tab.
CMD, then right-click on the best match and select Run as administrator.
Type the following command:
ipconfig
Press Enter. Look for Default Gateway and note the number next to it.
Then open your browser, enter this number in the address bar, and press Enter.
This will open the router’s settings page. Enter the router username and password provided by your ISP and click Login.
Now look for the NAT type in the router’s settings. Depending on your router's settings, you may or may not see a dedicated "NAT" setting option.
If you don't see a specific NAT setting, you can still check it if you can see the Firewall setting.
Here, if it is set to "High", it means your NAT type is strict. If set to Medium, you have a medium NAT, if set to Low, your NAT type is open.
Checking your network's NAT type can be a bit cumbersome if you're not sure where to look and what the different settings mean. In this section, we'll answer some frequently asked questions about this.
Determining the best NAT type is entirely relative. What works for you may not work for the next person. If you are a gamer and want no lag and buffering time during gaming, then the open NAT type will be the best option for you. However, if you are someone who puts security above all else, then the strict NAT type will suit you best. For users in between, Medium NAT should be just right.
While most routers these days use a strict default NAT type, the NAT type can be changed according to your needs. Just make sure you know what the trade-offs are for the NAT type you want to change to.
Open NAT opens all ports and allows all packets sent to your device. Therefore, the open NAT type does reduce latency and is the best choice for your online gaming.
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