Nighthawk MR1100 and Gaming

Question

Latest firmware
Device of interest is an XBOX ONE
&nbsp;
Problem:
I live in a rural area where AT&amp;T mobile is the only low-latency internet available.&nbsp; i.e. only other option is satellite.
My wife and I&nbsp;are on separate xbox's on our own personal hotspots (on our phones).&nbsp; However, party chat is very inconsistent to form the connection and we both have strict NAT, sometimes also with double NAT.&nbsp; (This means we can't form a party, no hosting and very inconsistent joining.)&nbsp; I thought port forwarding would help and got an MR1100...however it made no difference.
&nbsp;
In normal wifi mode with port forwarding to a static IP on the xbox: STRICT NAT + DOUBLE NAT
When I put it in IP Passthrough mode: STRICT NAT (but no longer double nat)
&nbsp;
I understand it's due to the carrier NAT that you'll always get strict on a normal LTE connection?&nbsp; Are there any ways around this?&nbsp; i.e.:
* VPN - since this gives you an outside global IP.&nbsp; However the MR1100 only seems to have 'VPN passthrough' and not openVPN support?&nbsp; I have a Private Internet Access subscription already, any way to use this to get a better NAT type?&nbsp; I can return this and order a different type of ATT hotspot router if that makes a difference.
* How exactly does IP Passthrough work, does it just put it in bridge mode or something?&nbsp; Do DMZ/port forwarding have any effect when in IP passthrough mode?&nbsp; I've seen videos online of people using IP passthrough with a different option (default server IP) on another model and claimed to get open NAT...
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Any guidance would be greatly appreciated, I'm a former networking engineer and willing to do what it takes to make this work, it's my only gaming option for years to come.&nbsp; Thank you!
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TeeJay74 · Answer

IP Passthrough is a bridge mode, wifi disabled, all TCP/UDP ports open, no NAT. Also no need to use&nbsp; DMZ/Port forwarding to get bridge mode working.

schumaku · Answer

Overtime&nbsp;wrote:
Do you know if there's any way to get Open NAT through passthrough mode?

Agan, as&nbsp;TeeJay74&nbsp;already mentioned, in IPPT the router is open, no NAT involved on the router side. Any potential limitations (carrier grade NAT, often [ab-]using RFC1918 addresses for the connection&nbsp;IP address, and port restrictions) are done by the wireless ISP.
&nbsp;
Overtime&nbsp;wrote:
Or to run an OpenVPN off the nighthawk MR1100?

Not sure what this should be good for - most of the hide-my-ass-like VPN providers are implementing NAT again, too. And we've not talked about the added latency - on top of a 3G/4G network.
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schumaku · Answer

With the business contract on Swisscom Mobile we get a public routable (and Internet reachable) IPv4 address. A few adjustments we commonly request from this ISP does bring a fully open connection (at a cost, at some additional load, ...) so the last firewall rules on the provider side are gone. Like this, we can install out preferred routers or security appliances and configure these the way we want. including the NAT config.Again - no tricks. The Netgear mobile ISP bridges as well as some other vendor WWAN cards we have deployed in embedded devices don't have such limitations. You have to talk to your mobile ISP about the possibilities.Update: Yes, talk to AT&amp;T, ask for the possible optional features on your plan. And of the make it happen, ensure they disable and network side firewall  configs.

hvelderr · Answer

Spoiler (Highlight to read)Hey,So, curious about this, I have spent several days, hours on end trying to get this work. I have enabled IP Passthrough mode but continue to see a Doulbe NAT/Strict NAT result. I have the MR1100 ethernet port connected to the WAN port of a Netgear Nighthawk R7800. I have also played with the R7800 settings but have had no luck. I am able to increase my speeds by connecting the MR1100 to the R7800. Initially, I have speeds on average from 30-40mbps down and between 10-20mbps up via WiFi alone on the MR1100, but connected to the R7800, my WiFi connection shoots up to anywhere between 100-140mbps; this is 5GHz connection, my 2.4ghs is usually around 40-60mbps, so around half-ish. As for download and upload via Ethernet on the R7800, I get about 150+Mbps download, and 30+Mbps download. The one crucial thing I want to point out is that the R7800 also has MIMO functions and seems to me most compatible as the best WiFi router to partner with the MR1100. My only problem is that no matter what settings I try, either dual WiFi (LAA not supported) or WiFi Disabled (LAA supported)+IP Passthrough, I am unable to achieve an OPEN NAT. I continue to see DOUBLE NAT and Strict NAT, specifically on my Xbox One X. Can you, or anyone reading this, offer clarification on how to clear this? I have spent hours speaking with Netgear support, AT&amp;T support, Xbox support, reading over hours of threads and posts in forums on other people dealing with this issue, yet somehow a couple individuals managed to resolve the problem, and I have not. Also, is there any way to check or verify if the MR100 is connected to LTE-LAA, or check which bands offer that connectivity? Once I enabled the “Disable WiFi” mode for LAA support, I am unable to use &nbsp;the Netgear app to check the MR1100 specific info, like LTE Band #XX, and other relevant info. So, if anyone has the knowledge or expertise to solve this, please offer. Thank you.1. I have DOUBLE NAT and Strict NAT and 1430 MTU on my Xbox One X, how can I make this Open NAT with 1480 MTU? I have tried IP Passthrough and that alone has not resolved the issue.&nbsp;2. How and where can I check if my router is connected to LTE-LAA? And which bands would those be for AT&amp;T? I believe I have to tether to a computer device via usb to check via http://attwifimanager but I forgot if that works with WiFi disabled on the MR1100.3. Is there anything else relevant for making it OPEN NAT? Port Forwarding/triggering, etc.All suggestions appreciated. Thank you!&nbsp;Hey,So, curious about this, I have spent several days, hours on end trying to get this work. I have enabled IP Passthrough mode but continue to see a Doulbe NAT/Strict NAT result. I have the MR1100 ethernet port connected to the WAN port of a Netgear Nighthawk R7800. I have also played with the R7800 settings but have had no luck. I am able to increase my speeds by connecting the MR1100 to the R7800. Initially, I have speeds on average from 30-40mbps down and between 10-20mbps up via WiFi alone on the MR1100, but connected to the R7800, my WiFi connection shoots up to anywhere between 100-140mbps; this is 5GHz connection, my 2.4ghs is usually around 40-60mbps, so around half-ish. As for download and upload via Ethernet on the R7800, I get about 150+Mbps download, and 30+Mbps download. The one crucial thing I want to point out is that the R7800 also has MIMO functions and seems to me most compatible as the best WiFi router to partner with the MR1100. My only problem is that no matter what settings I try, either dual WiFi (LAA not supported) or WiFi Disabled (LAA supported)+IP Passthrough, I am unable to achieve an OPEN NAT. I continue to see DOUBLE NAT and Strict NAT, specifically on my Xbox One X. Can you, or anyone reading this, offer clarification on how to clear this? I have spent hours speaking with Netgear support, AT&amp;T support, Xbox support, reading over hours of threads and posts in forums on other people dealing with this issue, yet somehow a couple individuals managed to resolve the problem, and I have not. Also, is there any way to check or verify if the MR100 is connected to LTE-LAA, or check which bands offer that connectivity? Once I enabled the “Disable WiFi” mode for LAA support, I am unable to use &nbsp;the Netgear app to check the MR1100 specific info, like LTE Band #XX, and other relevant info. So, if anyone has the knowledge or expertise to solve this, please offer. Thank you.1. I have DOUBLE NAT and Strict NAT and 1430 MTU on my Xbox One X, how can I make this Open NAT with 1480 MTU? I have tried IP Passthrough and that alone has not resolved the issue.&nbsp;2. How and where can I check if my router is connected to LTE-LAA? And which bands would those be for AT&amp;T? I believe I have to tether to a computer device via usb to check via http://attwifimanager but I forgot if that works with WiFi disabled on the MR1100.3. Is there anything else relevant for making it OPEN NAT? Port Forwarding/triggering, etc.All suggestions appreciated. Thank you!&nbsp;

Overtime · Answer

Thanks!
&nbsp;
Do you know if there's any way to get Open NAT through passthrough mode?&nbsp; Or to run an OpenVPN off the nighthawk MR1100?

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Nighthawk MR1100 and Gaming

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