How to Change My Netgear NAT Settings to Open
Your Netgear router obtains an Internet Protocol, or IP, address from your service provider and assigns all connected devices a separate local address. This process is called Network Address Translation, or NAT. When your device’s software needs to receive a remote connection, the request is made from your local address through the IP stored on the router. If the request is made through a specific port on that IP and the router doesn’t know where to send it, you have a closed NAT. Set the NAT to open by telling your Netgear router where to send this traffic through port forwarding.
Click “Start,” type “www.routerlogin.net” in the search field and press “Enter.”
Type your password in the Authentication Required dialog and click the “Log In” button. The default password is “password.”
Click the “Attached Devices” link found on the left panel under the “Maintenance” area. This provides information pertaining to all devices behind your Netgear router.
Identify the Internet Protocol address of your computer, game console or other device by looking at the name in the “Device Name” field and the numbers in the “IP Address” field. This address is necessary to properly configure a consistent port-forwarding rule.
Click the “Port Forwarding/Triggering” link on the left.
Click the “Add Custom Service” button. Type the name of the program or device that has a strict NAT in the “Service Name” box.
Expand the “Protocol” box and select the type the program uses. If you do not know the type, select the “Both” option.
Type the port number used by the device or program in “Starting Port” and “Ending Port.” If the program uses a range of ports, enter the first port given in the “Starting Port” box and the last in the “Ending Port.” If there are multiple different ports, create a rule like this for each of them.
Enter the IP address numbers you have captured in the “Server IP…” field and click “Apply.” The router restarts and applies your rule. The NAT status is now open.
Mike Benson has been a freelance writer since 2000. He has authored tech guides on eHow as well as product and game reviews on a number of websites. Benson has focused his career in information technology and is educated in COMPTIA A+, electronics, A, B, C networking, search engine evaluation and programming. Benson has a certification of computer fundamentals and literacy.