NAT problems
From BE Usergroup Technotes
Contents |
Background
This article details how to get the most compatible NAT settings on Xbox Live or PS3 game consoles. NAT causes many issues with Games Consoles causing poor connection quality such as lag and echo on voice channels. It can also affect the ability to find game matches.
To understand how to overcome NAT issues it is necessary to understand what NAT is. Very simplistically NAT or Network Address Translation allows a single device to act as an intermediary between the Internet and a local network. This effectively means that a single IP Number can be used for an entire group of computers. There by reducing the number of IP numbers actually needed.
The NAT device, in this case your router acts as a pass through between you and the internet. However the pass through is also a filter stopping unwanted information passing through. Unfortunately some this unwanted information includes the stuff Xbox's and PS3's require to work well on line. This information passes through 'Ports'.
There are several ways to overcome the issue and this article lists the options for the BeBox by using port forwarding. This article also includes a link to an alternative, the creation of a 'DMZ' or Demilitarised Zone.
Solutions
Creation of Port Forwarding for a BeBox
Quick Run-down
Note: 587nv2 users should NOT need to apply these fixes as they are already part of the firmware build.
1) If using 585v7 Update to the latest firmware (8.2.7.7 585v7 Firmware already includes an updated config that should fix this issue)
2) Run through The commands below
3) Set the XBox to have a static IP if it is unable to obtain one from the BEBox (Shouldn't be required)
NB: Sometimes the BEBox will go back to closed NAT. Rebooting the BEBox normally resolves that issue. It is a bug but I don't know how to stop it happening.
Longer instructions / more detail
Written by fatal1ty - Modified by Dragon2611 to bring more into line with Be's config on the newer firmwares.
1. Download Be Box Firmware and Update Tool:
Download the latest firmware
Upgrade Tool:
http://www.beusergroup.co.uk/downloads/TGUPGv7201.zip
Instructions:
http://beusergroup.co.uk/technotes/index.php/Modem_Firmware
Once done, reconfig your Be Box settings ip, gateway etc (if you have a Static IP) using the CD which came with your Be Box or by visiting its web interface.
2. Telnet to your Be Box:
Download putty:
http://the.earth.li/~sgtatham/putty/latest/x86/putty.exe
Run the program
- To start the Telnet client, click the Start button, and in the Search box, enter: telnet 192.168.1.254
- The Telnet window will appear, requesting the Be Box Administrator username. By default, enter: Administrator
- The Telnet window will request a password. More info on the password
http://beusergroup.co.uk/technotes/index.php/Router_Password
- If you are successful, the Be Box Telnet page will appear:
------------------------------------------------------------------------
______ Thomson TG585 v7
___/_____/\
/ /\ 7.4.20.3
_____/__ / \
_/ /\_____/___ \ Copyright (c) 1999-2008, THOMSON
// / \ /\ \
_______//_______/ \ / _\/______
/ / \ \ / / / /\
__/ / \ \ / / / / _\__
/ / / \_______\/ / / / / /\
/_/______/___________________/ /________/ /___/ \
\ \ \ ___________ \ \ \ \ \ /
\_\ \ / /\ \ \ \ \___\/
\ \/ / \ \ \ \ /
\_____/ / \ \ \________\/
/__________/ \ \ /
\ _____ \ /_____\/
\ / /\ \ /___\/
/____/ \ \ /
\ \ /___\/
\____\/
------------------------------------------------------------------------
_{Administrator}=>
Next: After telnetting into the router run the commands Below
:connection bind application=CONE(UDP) port=0 :connection bind application=CONE(UDP) port=88 :connection bind application=CONE(UDP) port=69 :connection bind application CONE(UDP) port=3074 :connection bind application=CONE(UDP) port=3478 :firewall config icmpchecks=disabled :saveall
Below is Information on each command and what it actually does:
- To bind a Cone ALG to the xbox live port (Info on types of NAT : http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Network_address_translation#Types_of_NAT)
connection bind application CONE(UDP) port 3074
- To bind a Cone ALG to other ports commonly used by console games
connection bind application=CONE(UDP) port=3478
connection bind application=CONE(UDP) port=88
connection bind application=CONE(UDP) port=69
- Bind Cone ALG to the STUN Port (No idea why 0 binds to STUN: (I don't get why entering 0 does this but it does...)
connection bind application=CONE(UDP) port=0
- To enable traffic between the Ethernet and wireless ports (I really don't think this is needed but I'll leave it in just in case)
firewall config icmpchecks=disabled
- To save your changes:
Note: this step shouldn't be needed.
3. Xbox Live Internet Settings:
Configure Network/Basic Settings
IP Settings: Manual
IP Address: 192.168.1.25 Subnet Mask: 255.255.255.0 Gateway: 192.168.1.254
DNS Settings: Manual
Primary DNS Server: 208.67.222.222 Secondary DNS: 208.67.220.220
Port Forwarding for 3rd Party Routers
Note: (Dragon2611) Usually if UPNP is enabled and working correctly on the router, you don't need to do this as the UPNP takes care of it for you, also I've previously had success forwarding ONLY port 3074
The Xbox requires the following Ports to be open on a router to make Xbox Live work with the ideal setting of 'Open NAT'.
- Port 88 (UDP)
- Port 3074 (UDP and TCP)
- Port 53 (UDP and TCP)
- Port 80 (TCP)
Note If you cannot chat with someone using Video Kinect, you might need to open port 1863 (UDP and TCP).
Please examine your router manual for instructions on how to setup 'Port Forwarding'.You will also need to give your Xbox a 'Static IP' as it is most likely has a dynamic one. The best instructions for this can be seen here on the Microsoft Knowledgebase Solution 4.
Creation of a 'DMZ'
The BEBox does not support this method....
This is probably the easiest solution, and the one which gets the best results in the authors opinion. However, before doing this, you need to understand the risks of creating a 'DMZ'. A 'DMZ' is a straight pass through to the internet and is completely unprotected, however as you are connecting a games console the issues created by using a 'DMZ' do not really come into play due to the consoles nature. Under no circumstances should you consider putting your PC into a 'DMZ' as it will expose your PC to some very nasty stuff.
To create a 'DMZ' follow the instructions on Microsofts Knowledgebase at Solution 4 for an Xbox.
Once you have done this, access your routers management interface and follow the manuals instructions for creation of a 'DMZ'. This is usually found in a section called 'WAN Setup' on Netgear routers. Find the option:
- Default DMZ Server or similar
Then enter the IP number you created for your Xbox. Save the settings and enjoy!
