If you’re experiencing issues with Lit Fibre’s Carrier-Grade NAT (CGNAT), you’re not alone. Many users have faced challenges with port forwarding, online gaming, or accessing remote services due to CGNAT. This guide will walk you through practical steps to take around CGNAT without unnecessary jargon.
What is Lit Fibre?
Lit Fibre is a UK-based internet service provider (ISP) that focuses on delivering full-fibre broadband services to homes and businesses. They provide fast and reliable internet through Fibre-to-the-Premises (FTTP) technology, offering download and upload speeds that can reach up to 1 Gbps. This makes Lit Fibre a popular choice for those who require high-speed connections for activities like streaming, online gaming, and remote work.
What is CGNAT?
Carrier-Grade NAT (CGNAT) is a method used by ISPs like Lit Fibre to conserve IPv4 addresses by assigning a single public IP to multiple customers. While it helps manage the limited pool of IPv4 addresses, CGNAT can block certain services that require unique public IP addresses, such as hosting servers or remote access to devices.
Learn More: CGNAT Port Forwarding
Why Get Around CGNAT is Important?
CGNAT can cause several issues, including:
- Limited Port Forwarding: With CGNAT, it’s impossible to open specific ports on your router, which is crucial for online gaming or hosting.
- Remote Access Difficulties: If you’re trying to access your home network remotely, CGNAT can block direct access.
- Gaming Latency: Online games that require low latency or peer-to-peer connectivity may not work smoothly due to CGNAT.
To overcome these issues, you can try a few methods to get around CGNAT on Lit Fibre.
Solutions to Get Passed Lit Fibre CGNAT
1. Request a Static IP
The simplest and most effective solution is to ask Lit Fibre for a static public IP. Most ISPs, including Lit Fibre, offer this service, though it may come at an additional cost. A dedicated IP gives you a unique address, avoiding CGNAT altogether.
Steps to request a static IP:
- Contact Lit Fibre’s customer support.
- Inquire about the availability of a static IP for your account.
- Follow their instructions for setup and activation.
2. Use a VPN Service
A Virtual Private Network (VPN) can help get around CGNAT by routing your internet traffic through a different server that provides a public IP address. This method is particularly useful for gamers or those needing remote access.
Setting up a VPN:
- Choose a reputable VPN service (e.g. PureVPN).
- Download and install the VPN software on your device.
- Connect to a server that offers a public IP.
While a VPN can help get around CGNAT, it may introduce some latency, so it’s important to choose a fast and reliable service.
3. Use a Port Forwarding VPN
For those who need to open specific ports, some VPN providers offer port forwarding as part of their service. These VPNs allow you to forward ports even when you’re behind CGNAT, making them ideal for hosting or gaming.
4. Set Up a Remote Proxy
If you need to access your home network remotely but are blocked by CGNAT, setting up a remote proxy could be a good option. By using a remote server, you can access your devices as if you were on the same network.
Setting up a proxy server:
- Rent a virtual private server (VPS) from a provider like DigitalOcean or AWS.
- Set up SSH tunneling or a proxy service on the VPS.
- Connect to the proxy from your home devices.
5. Use IPv6
Another way to get passed CGNAT is by switching to IPv6. IPv6 is the new standard for internet addressing, and it eliminates the need for CGNAT. Check if Lit Fibre supports IPv6, and if so, enable it on your router and devices.
To enable IPv6:
- Log into your router’s settings.
- Find the IPv6 configuration section.
- Follow the instructions to enable IPv6.
Related Guide: Starlink CGNAT
Steps to Set Up CGNAT for Lit Fibre
If you’re looking to configure CGNAT (Carrier-Grade NAT) on a network, it’s important to note that CGNAT is typically managed by Internet Service Providers (ISPs) like Lit Fibre. Customers usually cannot set up CGNAT on their own, as it’s an ISP-level solution for conserving IP addresses. However, if you’re an ISP or network administrator and need to set up CGNAT, here’s a high-level overview of the steps.
1. Understand CGNAT Basics
Before diving into setup, it’s crucial to understand what CGNAT is and why it’s used. CGNAT allows multiple customers to share the same public IPv4 address, while internally, they still operate on private IP ranges.
- Private IP Addresses: Assigned within the customer’s network (e.g., 192.168.x.x, 10.x.x.x).
- Public IP Address: A single public IP is shared by multiple users through NAT.
2. Prepare the Network Infrastructure
To set up CGNAT, ensure your network infrastructure is capable of handling the configuration. This involves routers, firewalls, and NAT devices that support CGNAT.
- NAT Gateway: Install or configure a network gateway capable of performing CGNAT.
- Router Configuration: Ensure your router has NAT functionality and the ability to map multiple private IP addresses to a single public IP.
3. Configure the NAT Pool
The next step is to configure the NAT pool of public IP addresses that will be shared among multiple customers. This requires:
- Public IP Pool: Choose the pool of public IP addresses that will be used for CGNAT.
- Private IP Range: Determine the private IP address range (such as 192.168.x.x or 10.x.x.x) for the customers behind the CGNAT.
Steps to configure the pool:
- Log into your network device (router or NAT gateway).
- Create a pool of public IP addresses that will be assigned dynamically to users.
- Define the private IP range that will map to the public addresses.
4. Set Up Address Translation Rules
Set up rules that translate the private IP addresses to the shared public IP address.
- Outbound Traffic Translation: Map private IPs to the public IP pool for outbound traffic.
- Inbound Traffic: Define rules for handling incoming traffic, if needed. With CGNAT, it can be tricky to handle inbound traffic (like hosting servers), as port forwarding might be limited.
Example Command:
In some network devices, the configuration for address translation may look like this:
This command creates a NAT pool and applies it to the inside source addresses using an access control list (ACL).
5. Monitor the Network for Overlaps or Conflicts
Once CGNAT is configured, monitor the network for potential address conflicts or performance issues. Since multiple customers share the same public IP, conflicts may arise, especially with applications that rely on unique public IPs.
- Log CGNAT Translations: Many ISPs log the IP translations to track which internal (private) IP used a specific public IP at any given time.
- Inspect Port Exhaustion: CGNAT works by assigning different port numbers to internal IPs. Monitor for port exhaustion, which can occur if too many users share the same public IP.
6. Test the Setup
After configuration, test the network to ensure CGNAT is functioning properly. Verify that private IP addresses are being translated to the public IP pool and that there are no connectivity issues for end users.
- Check Connectivity: Test internet connectivity from devices using private IP addresses behind the CGNAT setup.
- Check Latency and Throughput: Ensure there’s no significant increase in latency or drop in throughput.
7. Consider IPv6 as an Alternative
CGNAT is primarily a solution for IPv4 exhaustion, but an increasing number of ISPs are switching to IPv6, which doesn’t require NAT. If Lit Fibre supports IPv6, consider enabling it alongside or instead of CGNAT.
Key Points to Keep in Mind:
- ISPs like Lit Fibre typically manage CGNAT: Customers can’t configure CGNAT themselves.
- CGNAT limits port forwarding: This can affect gaming, hosting, or remote access.
- Static IP as an alternative: For customers needing uninterrupted access, a static IP can avoid CGNAT limitations.
CGNAT is a specialized, provider-side solution, so if you are a customer looking to get around it, reach out to Lit Fibre for options like requesting a static IP.
Does Lit Fibre Use CGNAT?
Yes, Lit Fibre uses Carrier-Grade NAT (CGNAT) for most of its residential broadband customers. CGNAT is a method used by ISPs to manage the limited pool of available IPv4 addresses by sharing a single public IP address among multiple users. While this helps conserve IPs, it can cause issues with certain services, such as port forwarding, online gaming, and remote access.
How to Check if Lit Fibre Broadband Uses CGNAT
To determine if your Lit Fibre connection is under CGNAT, you can use any of the following methods:
Method 1: Check the Router’s WAN IP Address
- Open a web browser and enter your router’s IP address into the address bar.
- Enter your username and password to access the dashboard.
- Navigate to the status screen on the dashboard.
- Find the section labeled as ‘WAN IP’ or a similar term, which might vary based on the router model.
- Examine the IP address assigned to the router’s WAN interface.
- If this IP address falls within the range of 100.64.0.1 to 100.127.255.254, your connection is likely behind CGNAT. This IP range is designated for CGNAT usage.
Method 2: Compare WAN IP and Public IP Address
- Follow the steps from Method 1 to find and note down the WAN IP address from your router’s dashboard.
- Open a new tab in your web browser
- Search for “what is my IP address” and press Enter.
- Remember the public IP address displayed by the search results.
- If the WAN IP and the public IP address are different, it indicates that your ISP is using CGNAT.
- If they match, your connection likely has a direct public IP address, meaning it is not behind CGNAT.
Related Guide: How to Check if your ISPs perform CGNAT
How to Get Around CGNAT with PureVPN
CGNAT (Carrier-Grade NAT) can cause issues with certain online activities like gaming, hosting a server, or accessing your home network remotely. PureVPN offers a way to avoid CGNAT by providing you with a secure and direct connection to the internet using a public IP address.
Here’s how to get around CGNAT with PureVPN:
1. Sign Up for PureVPN
First, you need to sign up for a PureVPN account. We offer various subscription plans, so choose the one that suits your needs.
2. Download/Install PureVPN
PureVPN is available on multiple platforms including Windows, Mac, Android, iOS, and routers. Download and install the app or configure PureVPN on your Lit Fibre or any other router.
3. Log In to PureVPN
Once installed, log in with the credentials you created during the signup process.
4. Connect to a Server
Open the PureVPN app and select a server from a location of your choice. PureVPN will route your traffic through this server, which has a public IP address. This effectively avoid CGNAT, as your connection will no longer rely on the shared IP address provided by your ISP.
5. Enable Port Forwarding (Optional)
If you need to host servers or access devices remotely, PureVPN also offers port forwarding. You can enable this feature directly in your PureVPN account settings. This helps you manage specific ports for gaming, torrenting, or running applications that require direct access.
6. Verify Your Connection
After connecting to a PureVPN server, verify that you’re no longer behind CGNAT. You can use online tools to check your IP address and confirm that it’s a public IP.
Related Read: Port Forwarding on a dedicated router
Benefits of Using PureVPN to Avoid CGNAT
- Improved online gaming: Reduce lag and connect to servers directly.
- Remote access: Easily access your home network or devices from anywhere.
- Enhanced privacy: PureVPN encrypts your connection, offering additional security.
By following these steps, you can avoid CGNAT using PureVPN and enjoy a more direct, unrestricted internet experience.
Final Thoughts
Getting around Lit Fibre’s CGNAT can significantly improve your internet experience, especially if you rely on online gaming, remote access, or hosting services. Whether you opt for a static IP, VPN, or remote proxy, these methods offer a practical solution to the limitations imposed by CGNAT.
Each method has its pros and cons, so choose the one that best fits your needs and technical skill level. If in doubt, requesting a static IP is often the most straightforward and effective approach.
By following these steps, you can regain control over your internet connection and enjoy smoother, more reliable performance.
Anas Hasan
September 12, 2024
8 months ago
