Double NAT not always a problem

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Level 1

41 points

Double NAT not always a problem

I'm sorry Apple has decreed "double NAT" to be a warning condition all of a sudden, and blinks the yellow light. I'm using double NAT on purpose after careful consideration, and I would like to click "OK" and have the warning go away, so I can see any warnings which actually matter to me.

I think this is a new situation with recent versions of Airport firmware or Airport Utility. I've been operating this way (double NAT) for a while with no warnings or problems.

I realize that certain features, such as back-to-my-mac may not work, or may require special port setup on my routers, if I am using a double NATted configuration, and I can accept that.

There is a page here which explains why you might want to use double NAT on purpose. http://www.grc.com/nat/nat.htm (This page is from Steve Gibson, a well-known security expert, network guru and podcaster.)

An Airport Express is the one seeing the double NAT warning for me, but I assume the same logic applies to Airport Extremes.

Is there a way to disable the "Double NAT" warning?

Posted on Apr 18, 2012 4:48 PM

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Answer 1

Best reply

Bob Timmons

Community+ 2024

Level 10

159,242 points

Apr 18, 2012 5:22 PM in response to Jamie Cox1

You do not mention if you are using Lion and AirPort Utility 6.0, but I will assume that this may be the case.

Download and install AirPort Utility 5.6 for Mac OS X Lion

Open AirPort Utility 5.6

Select the AirPort Express

Click Manual Setup

Click directly on the word Status (2nd line) and an window will open to tell you that Double NAT exists on your network

Enter a check mark in the box to "Ignore This Error"

Click Update

You will not see the notice again until you update the firmware or something similar.

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Answer 2

HACKINT0SH

Level 5

5,804 points

Apr 18, 2012 5:25 PM in response to Jamie Cox1

If you're using 6.0, then you'll see the blinking amber light, and the red marker on the visual representation of the Airport.

Click in the Airport

Click on the "Double NAT" text on the status line

Select Ignore

Error notice should be ignored, and light should go to solid green.

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Answer 3

Apr 18, 2012 5:45 PM in response to HACKINT0SH

My experience with 6.0 is that it reverts back to the NAT warning after a week or two, but that may be my version of 6.0....which seems to have left out about half of the features one would expect in a setup utility.

My advice to most users would be to ignore it, use 5.6, and (hopefully) wait for improvements on the next release.

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Answer 4

HACKINT0SH

Level 5

5,804 points

Apr 18, 2012 5:53 PM in response to Bob Timmons

Not sure what's going on there Bob. Even a power-cycle shouldn't cause that. Maybe a bug, or someone selecting a wrong profile... etc.

I do agree with some of your points with the new version of AU, however, 6.0 is much more intelligent when it comes to recognizing and setting up topology, etc. Perhaps this was part of engineering's decision to can a few things. I also had suspected for a while that engineering didn't want users to have TOO MANY selection choices during set-up for safety reasons. You know how it goes... the same reason why we now don't let people get into their home library unless they at least know how to hold down an option key in the right place, hehe.

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Answer 5

Dec 20, 2012 8:06 AM in response to Jamie Cox1

So glad you asked this question Jamie Cox1 ! Bob Timmons and HACKINTOSH gave answers that solved my Double NAT problem* with my 2012 AirPort Express. Going back to AirPort Utility 5.6 (2009 MacBook on Lion) did allow me to ignore the warning and to set up my old 2003 AirPort Express to extend my network! I am one Happy Camper! Thank you everyone who responded to this thread!

*which also wasn't a "real" problem, as you all assured me...

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Answer 6

Jun 18, 2015 4:08 PM in response to Jamie Cox1

This, helped me as well. I had a double NAT error because my DSL connection through CentryLinks modem that has its own built in router, and has no easy way to set it to bridge mode. After following your instructions, I now have my AirPort Extreme with a Green light again. Why can't Apple add a DSL modem to the airport. It is next to impossible to find a stand alone DSL modem without a built in router any more.

Thanks Again.

Gary

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