NAT status determines what kind of connections clients can attain via your node (you can read more about it here.) Out of many factors that affect your earnings, NAT status can be one of them, especially if the said status is Strict.
Fortunately, you can change the NAT status using a few methods outlined below.
UPnP Method
Universal Plug and Play (UPnP) is, simply put, a set of protocols that allow easy connection and discovery between devices on a network. This method only works if your IP address is static (it does not change with each reconnect or router restart).
To enable UPnP:
Find your router’s default IP address;
Enter the IP address to your browser (as if you were trying to open a website);
Go to your router’s advanced settings;
Enable UPnP;
Save settings.
Please note that the instructions vary depending on the model of your router, however, in most cases, UPnP is under Advanced settings of your router’s configuration page.
Enabling UPnP may make your device more vulnerable to various exploits on the network. Use this method with that in mind.
Port Forwarding
Note down the IP address of your host machine running the node. Navigate to your router login page. To access your router's login page, open a web browser and enter your router's login URL or default IP address. You can usually find your router's login URL or default IP address on the back or bottom of your router, labeled something like Router Login or Default Access. Enter the default username and password for your router's configuration page.
To set up port forwarding, go to the corresponding section on your router. Use the IP address that you retrieved earlier to manually assign it to your host machine that runs the Mysterium node. Then, enter the UDP port range of 56000-56100 and save your changes. Next, open the NodeUI dashboard and click on the Settings > Advanced tab. Rearrange the NAT traversal order based on your configuration by dragging items. Don't forget to save the changes and restart the node service.
Network Discovery on Windows
If you are using a Windows device, you can enable Network Discovery to change your NAT status. Network Discovery works similarly to UPnP, allowing devices to discover each other and communicate easily.
To enable Network Discovery on your Windows 10 device, follow these steps:
Open the Start menu and press the Settings icon (gear) on the left. It is located right above the Shut down button;
On the following screen, press ‘Network & Internet’;
Under ‘Advanced network settings’, press ‘Network and Sharing Center’;
Press ‘Change advanced sharing settings’ on the left side of the window;
Click on ‘Turn on network discovery.’
To enable Network Discovery on your Windows 11 device, follow these steps:
Open the Start menu and open the Settings app;
Press ‘Network & Internet” on the left side of the window;
Click on ‘Advanced network settings’;
Click ‘Advanced sharing settings’ located under ‘More settings’;
Switch on ‘Network discovery.’
Enabling DMZ
In networking, a DMZ (Demilitarized Zone) is like a secure middle ground between your internal network (where your devices, like computers, are) and the internet. It's a protective zone where you place servers and services that need to be accessible from the internet, like websites or email servers.
To enable DMZ, please follow these steps:
Find your router’s IP address;
Enter the IP address to your browser;
Go to your router’s advanced settings;
Enable the DMZ mode and insert the IP address of your host machine running the Mysterium node.
Please note that, once again, instructions vary depending on the model of your router.
Similarly to UPnP, enabling DMZ is a risky thing as it can make your device vulnerable. Use this method at your own risk.