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NAT 101

It's hard to be a Sponge.

But it's even harder if nobody can hear your cries of pain (and come to your aid accordingly). Or if you can't even join the fireteam / game in the first place. So it's important that your connection to Xbox live (and other Xboxes) is solid.

Welcome to the murky and confusing world of Network Address Translation.

" NAT "
Outside computers and devices only see your network's external IP address. They send packets of data to this address along a numbered digital channel called a 'port'.

The 'NAT' in your router then maps (or translates) this to the internal IP address and ports of all your home networked devices (eg. your Xbox) so that the data gets to and from the right device.

For your Xbox to function online it needs 7 specific ports to be open.

" Check your NAT "
You can view / check your NAT status from Network Settings.

Your Xbox NAT status can be:
1. Open; all the required ports are open.
2. Moderate; most of the ports are open.
3. Strict; none, or only a few, of the ports are open.

Depending on which ports are not open you may have trouble hosting matches, joining a fireteam, playing the actual game, or chatting through your microphone. It can be hard to predict as different combinations of closed ports between any two Xboxes can cause different issues.

The Xbox running the party and/or fireteam should definitely be 'Open' - but generally xboxes that are 'Open' or 'Moderate' should be able to play with each other. But anyone with 'Strict' will only be able to work with those who are 'Open'.

" Fixing your NAT "
It's probably a good idea to reset your NAT occasionally. Because you turn your Xbox off regularly your router may 'lend' the internal IP address to another device - and this can result in different ports being opened and closed. So when you next turn on your Xbox your NAT status may have changed.

Starting again:
- a) Turn your Xbox completely off (long press).
- b) Restart your modem (clears the NAT table).
- c) If your router supports 'Universal Plug and Play' (UPnP).
- d) Turn your Xbox back on.

UPnP is the quickest and easiest way for your Xbox to request and get all the ports that it needs.

I try and do this every Tuesday just to be sure!

" Plan B "
If you are still having trouble then you can try to open all of the ports manually. This may, or may not, be easy depending on your router and it's user interface.

You'll need to consult your router's user guide and forward the following ports:
- Port 88 (UDP)
- Port 3074 (UDP and TCP)
- Port 53 (UDP and TCP)
- Port 80 (TCP)
- Port 500 (UDP)
- Port 3544 (UDP)
- Port 4500 (UDP)

" Plan C "
Set your Xbox up in a DMZ (Demilitarised Zone). This puts your Xbox outside your router's firewall - and may make it easier for you to get all the ports opened. Again, look it up in your router's user guide.

" Plan D "
Sorry. You're out of easy options now. Probably time to buy a new modem. Some routers just don't play fair - with firewalls that don't like those particular ports open. And it's even harder if you are running multiple Xboxes - most standard routers don't like the same channels being opened on a lot of devices.

You can check the official Xbox website for a list of brand/models that are Xbox Live friendly!