How to Port Forward Optus and Bypass CGNAT

Port forwarding allows remote devices to external servers and devices enhancing a stable connection. But when ISPs perform CGNAT, you won’t be able to port forward. Here is a comprehensive guide to learning about opening ports on Optus.

Learn more about Port Forwarding

What is CGNAT?

CGNAT is a network address translation that conserves the exhausting IPv4 pool by translating different private IPs to a single public IPv4 address. Performing CGNAT allows ISPs to assign the same IP to other users who are on the same network. Hence, ISPs can reduce the number of IPv4 addresses to be acquired and allocated. 

How to Port Forward on Optus Router

Here are the steps to set up port forwarding on an Optus router (these will only work if your internet connection is not behind CGNAT):

1. Access the Router’s Admin Interface 

• Log in to the router’s settings through your web browser. You will need to enter the IP address of the router, which is typically something like 192.168.0.1 or 192.168.1.1.

2. Find Port Forwarding Settings

• Go to Settings > Network Settings and then click Port Forwarding.

3. Set Up Port Forwarding Rules

• Custom Service Name: Type in a name for the rule. 

• Service: Select the service from the dropdown or choose Other if your specific need isn’t listed. 

• Protocol: Select from TCP, UDP, or both (TCP – UDP). 

• External Host: Leave this field empty. 

• External Port: Enter the port number or range. 

• Internal Host: Type in the IP address of the device.

• Internal Port: Enter the internal port number(s).

• Click Add to save your port forwarding settings!

The Disadvantages of Optus Using CGNAT

Optus customers may face several challenges if their connection is managed by CGNAT: 

• Complex Port Forwarding: Since a single public IP address is shared across multiple users, making it difficult to set up port forwarding. This limitation hinders access to personal servers and remote devices, impacting the flexibility users have over their own network. 

• Reduced Online Gaming Performance: CGNAT can create issues for online gamers by increasing latency and connection instability. Many games require direct peer-to-peer connections, and CGNAT can lead to higher ping rates and frequent disconnects.

• Issues in Hosting Servers: Hosting web, file, or game servers is problematic with CGNAT, as it blocks incoming connections by default. This means that users trying to allow external access to a server or device on their network may find themselves unable to do so. 

• VoIP Quality Concerns: VoIP services may also experience problems with CGNAT, as it adds an extra layer of NAT. This can result in call delays, packet loss, and reduced call quality due to CGNAT’s interference with direct IP-based communication.

Why does Optus perform CGNAT?

The world is slowly switching to the IPv6 protocol due to the depleting IPv4 pool. But transitioning IP addresses is a slow process, and ISPs need a way to continue operations by reducing budget. Most ISPs are now performing CGNAT as a temporary solution and avoiding the transition toward IPv6. By performing CGNAT, ISPs do not need to spend more on acquiring more IPv4 addresses to meet these demands. Instead, they can assign the same IP to different users. 

Why is Port Forwarding an issue on Optus devices? 

Optus performs CGNAT for the same reason to conserve IPv4 addresses and use a single IP for many consumers. Opening ports can be risky when multiple users on the same network rely on the same IP. Even if your router is configured for port forwarding, performing CGNAT can prevent you from adding port forwarding rules. 

How to Port Forward on Optus and Bypass CGNAT with PureVPN

If your Optus internet connection is behind CGNAT, you can quickly and securely open ports with the help of PureVPN’s Port Forwarding add-on. Here’s how:

1. Sign up for PureVPN, add Port Forwarding to your plan, and complete your payment.

2. Download and install the PureVPN app for your device and log in with your account details.

3. Access the Member Area, go to Subscriptions, and then click Configure next to Port Forwarding.

4. Select Enable specific ports, specify the ports you want to forward, and click the Apply Settings button.

5. Connect to any server that supports port forwarding to activate your settings and avoid CGNAT limitations.

Host a server with a Dedicated IP and Port Forwarding add-on 

A Dedicated IP allows you to create servers and external IP addresses to connect to your server without any IP mapping issues. You need a dedicated IP with a Port Forwarding add-on if you wish to host a game server, get your IP whitelisted, or want your friends to connect to your at-home devices. 

Why Pick PureVPN for your port forwarding needs

Thousands of customers trust PureVPN for their port forwarding and privacy needs. With the port forwarding add-on, you can open ports on routers that sit behind CGNAT. Plus, our advanced security protocol removes the security risks of port forwarding routers. PureVPN offers top-notch and efficient solutions that are easy to use and manage. 

Here is what you get with PureVPN: 

• 6,000+ high-speed VPN servers.
• Anonymous IP addresses at a click of a button
• Robust security features like split tunneling, IP masking, internet kill-switch
• A perfect bundle including a port forwarding add-on with a dedicated IP address

Wrapping up

You can contact one of our friendly customer reps via the Live Chat option if you have trouble opening ports on routers. 

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