What is NAT?
NAT is an acronym for Network Address Translation. At any given time, there may be hundreds of devices on the Missouri Valleynetwork accessing the Internet. Because we do not have hundreds of public IP addresses, all thesedevices must share. This process of translating from multiple on-campus addresses to the shared public address is called NAT. This is the same thing a home router does (on a smaller scale) to allow multiple devices to connect to a single home Internet connection.
How does this affect my Xbox 360 / Xbox One / PS3 / PS4 / etc..?
The Xbox (and other gaming consoles) recognizes three NAT statuses:
With anOPEN NATtype, you’re able to chat with other people, as well as join and host multiplayer games with people who have any NAT type on their network.
With aMODERATE NATtype, you’re able to chat and play multiplayer games with some people; however, you might not be able to hear or play with others, and normally you won’t be chosen as the host of a match.
With aSTRICT NATtype, you’re only able to chat and play multiplayer games with people who have an OPEN NAT type. You can’t be chosen as the host of a match.
You can readmore here:XBox NAT
At Missouri Valleyyou will most likely see your Xbox (and other devices) report a STRICT NAT.
Can you change the NAT type to make it more open?
Unfortunately the NAT type cannot be changed or opened on campus. This is not due to a limitation placed by IT, but by limitations of theXbox itself. The Xbox was designed for use in a home environment where it would be the only Xbox on that Internet connection. A more open NAT type depends on all incoming Xbox Live traffic on that connection to be sent to a single Xbox console. With the large number of Xbox consoles sharing the campus Internet connection, it is unfortunately not possible to improve on Strict NAT.
Can you enable uPnP or forward port 1234?
We cannot. UPnP is designed for consumer style home routers, anddoes not work in large enterprise networks like that of Missouri Valley.
