NAT issues

[Reggie12]

I have a Belkin F5D8636-4 v2 (Firmware up to date) and am having problems with an xbox 360 (wired). i have opened all the right ports, and it is in a virtual DMZ but the NAT type is still strict. Any suggestions?

[spoon_]

If you put anything in DMZ then there is no need to open any ports...

[blueball]

What is a virtual DMZ?

Agree with above, a DMZ just opens it wide to the internet.

[Reggie12]

I know, putting it in DMZ was a last resort, and im not sure what a virtual one is, i hadnt heard of it before but thought it might be relevant. can you think of any other reasons it would still have a strict NAT?

[watercooled]

Either a duff router or it might have something to do with your ISP (customers behind NAT/bad routing tables/etc) - who are you with?

[Reggie12]

BT, im sad to say. Where I am it is my only option and thier customer service is very poor. Is there a way of checking if that is the issue?

[watercooled]

Err, it's not as easy on ADSL as it is on cable but it's usually doable. I don't have as much experience with ADSL so other might be able to advise you better but I think some routers let you run them in a modem-only mode, i.e. they disable all routing/NAT features. You would only be able to connect one device (your Xbox) in order to test it but it would eliminate routing problems on your end. Also if you've had broadband for a while you might have an older ADSL modem (not router) somewhere - this would be even better to test with. If you still get NAT problems with only a modem then it's down to BT. I'm not sure what their customer services are like but they should do something about it if it's their fault - especially if you've been with them for a while and you're not still tied into a contract.

[Apex]

I am asuming you have given the XBox a static DHCP resavation (also i thought the XBox used upnp ?)

[watercooled]

It does but some routers don't seem to do the port forwarding properly.