Get Open NAT on an XBox 360

This article will explain step by step how you can configure a Linksys WRT54GS wireless network router to provide an an XBox 360 with the proper environment for it to report an "Open" NAT. The instructions are quite specific, but they may very well work with other makes & models of routers by translating the same settings to that device's interface.

What is it, and Why do I care?

NAT stands for Network Address Translation (or sometimes, Network Address and Port Translation or NAPT), and if your XBox 360 does not show an "Open" connection to XBox Live, you will have a difficult time establishing connections with other players. Moreover, it decreases the odds that you will be able to join a group of specific friends in a game or chat room.

XBL defines NAT in one of three flavors: Open, Moderate or Strict.

Devices that perform strict or moderate NAT can limit the ability of gamers to find each other, participate in sessions, or hear each other on Xbox Live.

When multiple devices share a single Internet connection (a PC and an Xbox 360 system, for instance), the networked devices typically rely on Network Address Translation (NAT) to prevent information traffic jams.

NAT Compatibility Table

• Open NAT means that either the port-assignment policy is minimal or the device has a fully compliant version of UPnP (Universal Plug and Play) enabled by default.
• Moderate NAT means that the port-assignment policy is minimal, but the device is filtering addresses or ports.
• Strict NAT means the port-assignment policy is aggressive.

What does NAT mean to me and my friends?

Suppose you want to host an Xbox Live game and you're using a router that's classified as open. As the following table shows, you can be confident that your router's NAT type will not keep your friends (who may also be using routers) from finding your session, hearing your voice, and enjoying a great game.

The bottom line is this: if you're using XBox Live on your 360, you want and need an Open NAT in order to assure you can play and communicate with your friends. If you can't get your router to provide this connection, go get another one.

Router Configuration

Disable UPnP

• Log into your router's administration panel. It's usually accessible from http://192.168.1.1
• Go to the Status tab and Router sub-tab, and take note of
  • DNS1
  • DNS2
• Go to the Status tab and Local Network sub-tab, and take note of
  • IP Address
  • Subnet Mask
• Go to the Administration tab and Management sub-tab
• Disable (uncheck) the UPnP option
  • The UPnP has to do with plug-n-play devices, and XBL needs a "fully compliant" UPnP policy. Some routers do not meet this strict specification, but turning it off gets around that problem.

Port Forwarding

• Go to Application and Gaming tab and Port Range Forwarding sub-tab
  • Here you will be creating two new port ranges
  • Name the first "XBL" and forward port 88 (88 through 88) to IP .199
  • Name the second "XBL" and forward port 3074 (3074 through 3074) to IP .199
  • This will ensure that the XBox 360 is receiving all of the necessary internet packets without restriction