Are you a gamer and you can’t connect to your online game? Are you finding that your computer won’t allow you to access secure sites? Double NAT could be the cause of your troubles. Read on to find out more about what double NAT means, potential problems that may occur, and how to overcome these issues.
What Is NAT?
To understand double NAT, the first step is to know what NAT stands for and what exactly it means. NAT stands for Network Address Translation. Put simply, this means that devices on your network share a WAN IP address that is provided by your internet service provider. The public IP address is changed to a private address, providing you with a secure, private network.
What Is Double NAT?
Double NAT, as the name suggests, means that instead of having just one private network, your system has both private WAN and LAN networks. Why would this occur? This happens when multiple devices are performing network address translation. If you have high-speed internet in your home, for example, your cable or DSL modem is connected to your router. This can create a double NAT situation.
Problems With Double NAT
For the most part, you likely won’t notice any connectivity issues when double NAT occurs. However, there are always exceptions to the rule. Online gaming, access to secure sites with SSL, and configuring port forwarding and triggering can all be affected by double NAT. If you’re having any problems with these types of activities but you can still connect to the internet and perform other tasks, double NAT is likely the cause of your problems.
Resolving Double NAT Issues
If you’re facing an issue because of double NAT, there are a few easy troubleshooting steps and setting changes you can make to resolve most issues.
The first is to set up a PPPoE connection between your modem and router. This can typically be done through the WAN settings of your router. Use your user’s manual or visit the router manufacturer’s website for information on how to access and change these settings. It is important to note that some ISPs require a name and password to change this setting. If this is the case, you will need to contact your ISP or visit their website for more information.
If changing the PPPoE setting isn’t an option, don’t worry – other solutions may be available. Some routers allow you to use what is known as a “bridged mode.” This mode essentially disables both NAT and DHCP. This can be changed through router settings, but again, this isn’t necessarily an option that applies to all routers.
You can also set your router to be in the modem’s demilitarized zone. This setting can be changed through the modem’s settings.
Finally, if you have additional modems and routers connected, you can disconnect those. Having extra modems and routers in your network’s connection can result in a double NAT scenario.
Final Thoughts
For most networks, double NAT scenarios rarely occur. However, if they do happen to pop up, these easy solutions can help you get back online again. Are you having a problem with connecting in a double NAT scenario? Do you have a quick-fix or easy tips for overcoming double NAT problems? Then leave a comment below!
Sources
https://kb.netgear.com/30187/How-to-fix-issues-with-Double-NAT
http://www.practicallynetworked.com/networking/fixing_double_nat.htm
https://kb.netgear.com/30186/What-is-Double-NAT