Technology Insights

Xbox 360 Behind pfSense Firewall: Your NAT Type Is Strict

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We recently put a Xbox 360 online at the computer shop and I finally got around to configuring everything so we could get on Xbox Live. Our network uses a pfSense firewall along with some other security measures which create a fairly secure environment however it can take some configuration to get things working properly at times. The pfSense firewall is a really amazing open source firewall software developed by some folks here in Louisville. Anyhow depending on how your firewall is set up you may run into a couple issues, which aren’t really issues, connecting to Xbox Live. Below is information on how to get past your Xbox 360 reporting that the NAT type is Strict when your Xbox 360 is located behind a pfSense firewall.

Technology Insights

Xbox 360: Your NAT Type Is Moderate, Configure Port Forwarding On Your Router

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If you have an Xbox 360 connected to the Internet (Xbox Live) on your LAN (Local Area Network) then you have at one point or another probably seen an error message stating something similar to “Your NAT type is Moderate”. This message was more than likely discovered while troubleshooting your Xbox 360’s connection over your home network to Xbox Live. Some of the problems associated with the “Your NAT type is Moderate” include but are not limited to problems connecting to Xbox Live online games, issues joining Xbox 360 Party Chats via Xbox Live, other Xbox Live users having problems connecting to your Xbox 360 when you are hosting an online multiplayer game, and almost any other scenario where you are attempting to communicate with other Xbox Live users from the Xbox 360 connected to your Local Area Network.