The computers then connect to LAN2 and receive data from R2. R2 provides NAT through its internal IP address. R2 then provides NAT to the LAN2 network below it. Another way to say that is, R2's WAN IP address is external to R2 but internal to R1. Notice that R2's external IP address does not connect to the internet, but to another private network. R2 connects to LAN1 with an external IP address. The only thing connected to LAN1 is the router R2.
R1 also has an internal IP address that provides NAT to the internal LAN1 network below it. R1's external IP address connects R1 to the Internet, just like any other network. Our network here is a bit more complex than the basic network. The internal IP address connects the router to the internal network. The external IP address is the one that connects that router to the WAN (Wide Area Network). Network Address Translationįor the sake of readability, "Router #1" and "Router #2" will be referred to as "R1" and "R2" respectively.Įvery router does NAT (Network Address Translation) and has both an internal IP address and an external IP address. Now that we have identified these things we can go on to learn how they affect us. If there is a LAN then there is an accompanying WAN.
If you have not read our What is Port Forwarding page, now would be a good time to do so.
#Free port forward network utilities software
We have FREE software that will automatically detect if you are in a double router setup. J(Last Updated: August 24, 2021) | Reading Time: 4 minutes