If you are a person who is playing games on the gaming console, you will come across the need to have the best possible level of connectivity on it. Then you will be able to engage with multiplayer gaming and receive an outstanding experience. You can effectively play games with other players around the world through this as well.
However, connecting your gaming console to the internet, so that you can play multiplayer games is not that easy. There are many external restrictions.
This is applicable for PS4 and Xbox One as well. For example, if you are a student, you know that your university Wi-Fi network doesn’t allow you to connect to the internet via your gaming console.
In most of the instances, it can be the router, but even the network equipment that you use can lead you towards trouble.
That’s where you need to take a look at the Network Address Translation settings of the gaming console, which are also known as NAT settings.
What exactly is NAT?
The abbreviation NAT refers to Network Address Translation. This method is being used by routers. Primary objective of NAT is to translate a public IP address into a private IP address.
The public IP addresses can be found out there on the internet. On the other hand, private IP addresses can be found on your home network.
You will be using NAT for many different purposes. One of the biggest uses of NAT is to enhance security of the network.
That is done by keeping your private IP address hidden from internet. On the other hand, it is also being done in order to provide opportunity for multiple devices to share the same IP address.
When you take a look at the gaming consoles, you will be able to discover three different NAT console types. Here are those three different NAT types.
Open (NAT type 1)
With NAT, your Xbox One or PS4 gaming console will be provided with the ability to connect to any host game or anyone’s game.
On the other hand, other users will be able to locate the games that you host and connect them. If your gaming console is directly connected to the internet, this would be the nature of connection that you will have.
Moderate (NAT type 2)
With moderate NAT, your gaming console has the ability to connect with the other players. However, some of the functions that you can experience are limited.
When you are getting connected to internet via the router, which is configured properly, you will be able to experience this type of NAT.
Strict (NAT type 3)
With strict NAT, your gaming console will have a limited connectivity. When you are having strict NAT, no other player will be able to join the games that you are hosting. This happens when the router doesn’t have open ports left.
In order to get the best possible experience on your gaming console, you will need to have moderate NAT type of open NAT type. When you are changing the NAT type, you will be restricting or widening the functionalities that you have.
How to change the NAT on your gaming console?
Now you have a clear understanding about NAT types. Along with that, you can follow these steps to change the NAT type on your PS4 or Xbox One and then unlock the functionalities that are available.
In order to change the NAT type, you will need to seek the assistance of a VPN. You can go through the available VPN options out there on the internet and get your hands on a good VPN. Then you can configure the connection for that VPN and start using it.
It is better if you can use a paid VPN instead of a free VPN to get the best possible experience.
Then you will be able to put a hotspot and share the internet connection. If you had installed the VPN on your laptop, you can create a mobile hotspot through the network settings.
Once you make the network visible, you will be able to connect to it by the gaming console.
On the other hand, you can also think about using your mobile device to create a hotspot. You can download the VPN to your mobile network and enable the mobile hotspot via settings.
Once you have the hotspot running, you can turn on the PlayStation or Microsoft gaming console and connect to the hotspot. Then you can change the NAT type to open or moderate. Along with that, you will be able to limit the restrictions available on the gaming console as well.
This method works for both PS4 and Xbox One gaming consoles. Hence, you will be able to end up with effective results at the end of the day.
This is applicable for PS4 and Xbox One as well. For example, if you are a student, you know that your university Wi-Fi network doesn’t allow you to connect to the internet via your gaming console.
It is better if you can use a paid VPN instead of a free VPN to get the best possible experience.
