Hi, has anyone got a games console working with unrestricted NAT using the Mikrotik with LTE on an EE SIM. If so do you have a fall walk through on how to do it.
Thanks
LTE typically uses a “carrier-grade NAT”, so a typically IP address does not allow the opening of incoming ports. If a GCNAT is used, nothing to do be done to change that on the Mikrotik.
Some LTE providers may have a different APN (and/or plan/pricing) that allows a “public IP”, ideally static. With a “real IP address”, you should be able to open ports for gaming just like a “regular” internet connection.
It might be a typo, but replace “static IP” with “public IP”.
Regarding CG-NAT, it usually works reasonably well with most games, but you may need to redirect some ports. Check the website for the game, there are usually instructions for this. The best solution is after all if you are able to fix a static and public ipv4 address or run ipv6 if available.
Hi,
The Mikrotik device is one of the small dish types, I live in rural Wales so it was the only way I could get better speeds. I’m not really that knowledgeable about the device. The page I can see with the APN setting shows 10. Address so think that may be the issue. Current NAT on console shows NAT type D. I read somewhere it’s to do with CG NAT and maybe VPN would help but no idea on how to set it up.
Thanks
What game is it?
The Game of Routers (The Ethernet-clad Throne, in Italian 
)
stardew valley on Nintendo switch, its my daughters game not mine. Honestly.
PS4 also shows NAT Type 3 when i Test connection.
…its my daughters game not mine. Honestly!.
But of course, wink wink. 
Anyhow, first test UPnP by enable it using the WinBox menu:
- IP → UPnP → Enabled (tick the box)
- Add the active LAN interface using the “Interfaces” button, then the “plus” button, select the interface and lastly “ok”.
- Done, now you can close all the windows and run the NAT tests again
Btw, you can also use the Mikrotik app for this.
Thanks Larsa, will give it a try a when I get home
UPnp enabled and there were 2 interfaces already, ether1 and LTE.
Tested connection and still says NAT D
Yeah I kinda was thinking uPnP was not going to help with LTE.
I think you should contact your SIM card provider and see if they offer a public IP. I want to say I’ve read some in the UK offer this. Otherwise, there isn’t much to change on the Mikrotik since it the LTE network itself is the firewall causing the NAT complaints.
Kingcarp69, sorry to hear! Test once more and enable UPnP on just ether1. Restart the router and when back online restart the gaming console. If that doesn’t work, you may need to open special ports (so-called port forwarding aka dst-nat) which are described online for respective gaming console.
But first check if you’re effected by CG-NAT by comparing the address you get in the Mikrotik router matches what you get from whatismyipaddress.com
If none of the above works, I would do as Ammo suggests and contact your network operator and ask if you can get a public ip address or alternatively get another operator that support that.
Address is different on router compared to what is showing on what’s my IP
If the IP in your router is in the range 100.64.x.1 to 100.127.x.254, it means you are behind CG-NAT. Then probably the smoothest option to get everything working with gaming is to get a public IP from your mobile operator. If you contact them you can ask if they support ipv6 which might be an alternative to a public ipv4 address.
On the page where you can set APN and it shows a graph, under the Internet section it shows a 10.x.y.z. Address?
It’s probably another form of private ip addresses that can also be used for NAT. What does whatismyipaddress.com say if you enter the full address in the search box?
Btw, what kind of equipment are you using?
RBLHGR mounted externally on wall and then I connect via ubiquity AP.
It’s CGNAT since the game doesn’t just work …
There is really no magic setting make this game work AFAIK. A quick google indicates that it want all UDP ports open for the Nintindo and specific TCP ports.
As I said, looking at different plan, or carrier, that offers a “public IP” on your LTE. Another is using a VPN that offers a public IP, and then using that for the internet traffic from the Nintento. I’d imagine Cloudflare tunnel container would also do give you a public IP somehow (but not 100% sure, never tried it).
More LTE carriers use CGNAT, so it really is a call/email/etc to your carrier to find out if they have a special “APN” to use to get a public IP. Someone in UK may know more about the SIM/plans/APN situation there.
Hi,
Just a quick thankyou for all the help.
Will check with the Carrier to see if they can sort IP, but looking online it looks like they don’t.
Might try going down the VPN root, there looks like most of them have 30 day trials.
Unfortunately, VPN won’t help you in this case. As for a public IP (and optional static), I couldn’t tell if EE, O2 or Vodafone have it (probably) but I’m positive Three has it. Also ask about IPv6.
Check the EE Community.
https://community.ee.co.uk/
“Which mobile network has the best coverage in South Wales?”
https://www.choose.co.uk/guide/best-mobile-coverage-in-south-wales/