Have you ever wondered how your computer’s internet works? Such are the questions that excite us about computers and technology. We discovered the answers to this query, and that is how we obtained this information after a bit of digging. NAT, which stands for Network Address Translation and is an integral aspect of an internet setup, is one such mechanism.
Everyone’s life is made easier by having access to a fast internet connection. People invest a lot of money to upgrade their network plans and equipment so that their internet performance does not suffer. Even after putting a lot of effort into making their network faster, users are left wondering why their internet connection is so slow.
If this sounds like your problem, and you haven’t been able to improve your network connectivity, it’s time for you to fix it; And not with the help of a professional, but yourself. This article was designed to spread the word about NAT types for your network and to help you with how to open NAT type PC for your PC.
What Does NAT Type Mean?
Network Address Translation (NAT) is a term that refers to the process of translating an IP address into It is a technique that includes changing the network address information to map one IP address to a new address.
NAT is a router feature that allows it to transform all of the network’s private IP addresses into a single public IP address. It transforms your router into a go-between for your private network and the internet.
A NAT router is similar to a switchboard in an office. Each department has its own extension, which is hidden from the private IP. The same public number is frequently shown on outgoing calls.
The NAT may guide callers to certain callers to different departments utilizing their ports, much like a secretary, while guaranteeing that those connections are valid.
Because NAT modifies IP address information at the packet level, its implementations will behave differently in different addressing scenarios and have different effects on network traffic. NAT behavior requirements are often not publicly available by NAT device makers.
What Does NAT Do On A Computer?
Prevent IPv4 address depletion
Because the number of accessible IP addresses is limited, NAT is used to conserve them. With the growing number of network users, there aren’t enough IP addresses to go around. NAT gateways are used by ISPs to assign a single IP address to a whole network rather than a single device.
For instance, your network may include a large number of linked devices, such as laptops, mobile phones, and IoT devices. If they each had their own IP address, the scenario would necessitate even more IPs. However, with NAT gateways, ISPs assign a single IP address to all networks rather than numerous.
Put out of sight your IP address.
Your private IP addresses are also hidden by NAT, which displays a public IP address instead. IP packets appear to originate from a routing device as a result. When this is adjusted, it behaves as a VPN and provides a proxy to the network.
Make the network more secure
The private IP addresses are concealed from the Internet thanks to NAT. Not only is your computer’s IP address increased, but so are its network firewall settings. Changing the NAT type helps to protect the Local Area Network in this way.
Run the Network IP addresses
For a long time, systems on networks have used the IPv4 address standard. A device’s IP address can be referred to as its home address, and other devices on a network can send and receive messages from that device. Because many IP addresses are allocated for specific applications and devices, the highest limit of available IP addresses is around four billion.
The highest limit appears to be a lot, but it isn’t enough; for example, in 2016, around 1.8 billion mobile devices were sold. Now double that amount by the number of smartwatches, business systems devices, televisions, tablets, desktops, and laptops sold that year and every year afterward.
ISPs use NAT to accept the IPv4 addresses of your local network’s devices and assign them all a single IP address that they may use as a single network. Your complete network, whether at home or a business, may now access the internet as if it were a single computer, which eliminates the issue of IP addresses.
NAT is a firewall
The NAT controls what data may enter and exit your LAN. The router maintains track of all requests made to it by NAT-enabled devices. The user can raise or eliminate limitations on the LAN network by changing the NAT type, making it weaker or stronger. If you want your games to obtain more bandwidth, you’ll have to sacrifice this.
Prevent IP address from being worn out
Each device used to have its own IP address, which was a series of digits that gave it a distinct identity on the internet. However, as the number of internet users grew, these addresses began to run out. NAT translates all of a network system’s private addresses to a single public address, ensuring that IP addresses are not used up.
Protect your Private IP
NAT secures your private IP address by assigning new addresses to all devices in a system. In addition, the service acts as a firewall, filtering data entering your local network. Additionally, NAT addresses certain security problems. The Network Address Translation (NAT) protocol is used whenever a computer on a local network, such as your office’s local area network, sends and receives data to and from the internet.
Is It A Good Idea To Change The NAT Type?
Changing the NAT type on your computer can do no harm to your system or network if that is the main concern about this question. Since NAT types are complicated aspects of the computer network, it is very important to understand what you are dealing with before changing the NAT type. Making mistakes while this task is in progress can put your computer at risk.
You will also have to consider the fact that each NAT type lowers your security or strengthens it. If you are looking for more security in your system, set your system to NAT type 2 or 3. If you want lag-free online games, you will have to use NAT type 1.
The Three Types of NAT For A Network
NAT Type 1 – Open NAT
This is an open-type NAT, as the name implies, that allows all devices connected to the network to send and receive data. There are no firewall settings in place, and all shared data is allowed. While this can help you have a better experience, it will also expose you to a number of dangers. Because your ports are exposed, any hacker may simply get access to your local area network. While gaming, you have incredibly low latency or ping (ms), which means your games run more smoothly.
NAT Type 2 – Moderate NAT
The moderate NAT type is slightly more secure than the open kind, although it is a bit slower. Users who utilize the moderate NAT type also get firewall protection, which prevents any questionable data from accessing their devices. There will be a little latency in the game if this NAT type is enabled. If you want security as well as little latency, this is the best option.
NAT Type 3 – Strict NAT
This is the most stringent of the NAT types. The amount of data that may enter the local network is highly limited. The majority of the services will be unable to connect to the internet. Most routers have this as their default option. And only users having the NAT type open will be able to connect to the user. Searching for games will take longer in the end.
How To Access The NAT Type On A Router?
Port Forwarding
Since the introduction of routers, port forwarding has been a common word among gamers. It still works the same way, making it easier for gamers to connect by assisting your router in determining where to connect to.
Port forwarding’s main goal is to intercept data on its way to a computer and redirect it to a different address or port. In gaming, if you’ve had connection problems in the past, this is critical for connecting to the game’s server. Because port forwarding facilitates data flow by making it quicker and more accessible to everything on the internet. With the port plugged in, it enables a smooth passage.
Once you know the ports you need to connect to (which are supplied by the game), your connection should be more streamlined towards their servers, which should result in better matchmaking servers because they are more tailored to your region. You’ll have to look for the particular ports from the game itself to find these. The firm or developers usually make it public to make it easier for gamers to connect to their servers.
After you’ve found the game’s port to forward, go to your router and look for the port forwarding option. Follow the directions in this section based on where you found the game’s port.
Turning on UPnP
UPnP (Universal Plug and Play) allows your devices to discover each other on the same network. You’ll be able to connect to all of your devices locally and link them together. This is more common with Smart TVs and computers.
However, the biggest advantage of activating UPnP is that it allows for automated port forwarding. It accomplishes this by exchanging information and automatically connecting to the appropriate service when it is required.
As long as you operate a service, it will remember and connect to it automatically, allowing for considerably better data flow. This is, of course, very dependant on the game you’re playing. Some games don’t have their own ports that may be used for port forwarding.
However, UPnP allows the game you’re playing to send the ports to your computer automatically, and the router will handle the rest after the data has been delivered. If the game does not have this feature but does have its own ports, you may look them up online and manually port forward the game using the manner described above.
Turning on DMZ
The DMZ or Demilitarized NAT kind of NAT assigns a separate IP address to your device. It would be your consoles in this situation. The new IP address replaces the existing local private IP address on your network with the new public IP address.
All inbound packets will be sent to this new public IP address. Your ports should be open, indicating that the NAT type is also open. This will allow you to connect to the finest servers because your IP address will be exposed to everyone, if not entirely.
The first thing you should do is open your Windows Control Panel. You may find it by typing its name into the Windows search box. Choose Network and Sharing Center after opening Network and Internet.
- You’ll be able to view your active networks as well as the sort of connection you’re using. You’ll see a clickable link on your connection under the access type, whether it’s by Wi-Fi or an Ethernet cable. It will open a new window when you click on it.
- When it’s open, go to Properties and look under the Networking tab for “Internet Protocol Version 4 (TCP/IPv4).” When you double-click on the IPv4 address, the characteristics of the IPv4 address will appear. Unless you’ve changed anything, everything should be connected automatically under the General tab.
- Manually enter your IP address, Subnet Mask, and Default Gateway in the IP address entry box. You can run CMD first if you don’t have this information. To open the application, type “Command Prompt” into the Windows search box.
- Type “ipconfig” and hit Enter on your keyboard once CMD is launched. This will give you a list of your IP’s settings. Find the information you’ll need, such as the IP address, Subnet Mask, and default gateway. Fill up the IPv4 properties with this information and click “OK.”
- You must now use an application or a web browser to connect to your router. It makes no difference whatever one you’re on as long as you’re on the router’s control panel.
- Simply switch on the DMZ option on your router’s control panel. The “WAN” tab is normally where you’ll find it. You should see an IP address input after you turn it on. As previously stated, this IP address will be made public because that is the entire point of the DMZ.
- Your IP address, as well as any other needed information, should be entered here. All of this should be visible on your command prompt, where you can also view your IP settings. Before testing your NAT type on games, you need to restart your computer after saving the settings on your router.
Your DMZ IP address will be more exposed, but you should have a stronger connection to other gaming servers as a result. There is a clever method to achieve this, but it requires both a console and a computer. This tip may be found in the next section.
How To Change NAT Type To Open PC Windows 10
Here’s how you can change your NAT type to Open on your Windows 10 PC
Method 1 – Port Forwarding
It is the most typical method for changing your NAT type without having to go through any additional steps. Check the model of your router as well as the ports of the game you wish to play.
- To begin, go to your router’s homepage and choose the Port Forwarding option from the drop-down menu.
- In the first column, but the game’s ports, and in the second column, your IP address.
- You’ll be prompted to choose the device to which you wish to point. After that, choose between UDP and TCP.
- You may now save your changes and reboot your computer to see instant improvements.
Method 2 – Use a VPN
Because a VPN has no data constraints, it is the ideal approach to bypass a NAT connection. All data passed through your computer is encrypted if you use a VPN. It will assist you in protecting your online identity from the physical network, and you will be able to connect to it without difficulty.
The most significant benefit of utilizing a VPN is that it prevents your internet service provider from monitoring and restricting your traffic, so protecting you from ISP throttling.
Method 3 – Through Network Discovery
If you’re using Windows, you may alter the NAT Type under the Network Discovery options.
To switch on network discovery, follow these steps:
- Go to the Windows Settings (Windows + I) option from the Start menu.
- Select the Network and Internet settings tile from the Settings main menu.
- Then, under the Advanced Network Settings section, choose Network and Sharing Center.
- On the left side, choose Change advanced sharing options.
- Check the box for the linked devices as well as the network discovery option.
- You may now save the settings and switch on network discovery for your LAN on the Windows device.
Setting Your System’s NAT Type to Open PC Windows 10
If your computer’s connectivity is sluggish, it’s probably time to alter the NAT type. Most modems have a stringent NAT type, which makes it difficult for data packets to reach your device. However, there are a few options for changing your NAT type on a Windows PC:
Method 1: Turn on UPnP
UPnP, or Universal Plug and Play, is a set of protocols that allow networked devices to communicate with one another. The service also allows applications to forward ports automatically, which improves your gaming experience significantly.
- Log in to your router’s setup page using your browser. The address for your router’s control panel will vary depending on the model of your equipment. This address, together with the login and password, is usually located at the bottom of your modem.
- After you’ve signed in, look for the UPnP option and enable it.
Note: Enabling UPnP exposes your PC to cyber-attacks and puts it at risk. Turning on UPnP is not recommended unless your network is exceedingly stringent.
Method 2: Turn on Network Discovery
Enabling Network Discovery on your Windows device is another technique to modify the NAT type on your PC. This option increases your internet speed by making your PC visible to other network PCs. On Windows 10, here’s how to enable Network Discovery:
- Open the Settings (Windows + I) menu on your PC by clicking the gear icon in the Start menu.
- Select Network and Internet from the drop-down menu to see all network-related options.
- On the following screen, from the left-hand panel, select Wi-Fi or Ethernet.
4. Click on ‘Change advanced sharing options‘ under the ‘Related Settings‘ section.
- Click ‘Turn on network discovery‘ under the ‘Network discovery’ section, then select the ‘Turn on automated configuration of network-connected devices‘ option.
- You should modify your Network Address Translation to improve the speed of your internet connection.
Method 3: Use Port Forwarding
One of the greatest methods to alter the NAT type on your PC without jeopardizing its security is to use port forwarding. You may use this method to make exceptions for certain games and improve their overall performance.
- Find the default ports for the game you wish to play on the Port Forward website.
- Now, go to your router’s settings page by following the instructions outlined in Method 1.
- Look up “router forwarding” in the dictionary. Depending on the model of your router, the results we’re seeking for should be found under advanced options or other similar menus.
- Turn on ‘Post Forwarding’ and select the option to add particular ports on this screen.
- In the empty text boxes, type the default port number and click Save.
- Restart your router and play the game once more.
Method 4: Modify The Configuration File
Alter the configuration of your router for a somewhat more complicated but effective technique to adjust your Network Address Translation. This solution will permanently resolve the problem while maintaining your device’s security.
- Open your router’s setup panel once more.
- Locate the backup option for your router’s settings and save the file to your PC. The settings of the router will be stored as a notepad file.
- Make two copies of the configuration file to ensure you have a backup in the event something goes wrong.
- In the “last bind” section, enter the following command: “bind application=CONE(UDP) port=0000-0000”. Now, delete the “0000” in the script and enter the default port number of your game. If you wish to create extra port slots, you can use the same code and change the port value each time.
- Save the configuration file when you’ve finished editing it.
- Return to your router’s control panel and choose the option to restore your configuration file.
- Select the file you just saved from your computer’s hard drive. Restore the settings by loading it on your router’s configuration page.
- Your NAT type should have been updated once you rebooted your router and PC.
These are the steps you can take to switch to a different NAT type on a Windows 10 computer.