Introduction: Can You Port Forward Behind CGNAT?
If you’re trying to port forward while behind CGNAT (Carrier-Grade NAT), you’ve probably realized it’s not as simple as logging into your router and changing settings. ISPs that use CGNAT don’t assign you a public IP address, which makes traditional port forwarding impossible.
Whether you want to host a game server, run a home web server, or connect to a remote desktop, CGNAT blocks inbound connections before they ever reach your router.
The good news? There’s a solution. In this post, you’ll learn how to port forward behind CGNAT using Core Transit’s Static IP Anywhere—a powerful service that gives you a real static public IP address no matter what kind of internet connection you have.
Why CGNAT Breaks Port Forwarding
Before we get to the fix, let’s understand the problem.
CGNAT is a method ISPs use to conserve IPv4 addresses by putting multiple customers behind a shared public IP. While this works fine for web browsing and streaming, it prevents incoming traffic from reaching your local network, making port forwarding behind CGNAT impossible without a workaround.
You can’t control the NAT at your ISP, so port forwarding rules on your home router won’t work—there’s no public IP to forward from.
The Solution: Core Transit’s Static IP Anywhere
Core Transit offers a service called Static IP Anywhere, which gives you a dedicated static public IPv4 address via a secure tunnel. This lets you bypass CGNAT entirely and forward ports as if you had a public IP from your ISP.
This means you can:
- Host a Minecraft, Valheim, or web server
- Access your network remotely via SSH or RDP
- Set up a self-hosted VPN
- Use a custom domain with DNS
Even if you’re on CGNAT or using a mobile hotspot, you can port forward behind CGNAT with ease.
How It Works (Simplified)
- Sign up for Core Transit’s Static IP Anywhere.
- Receive configuration details (WireGuard or L2TP).
- Run the tunnel on a router that supports Wire Guard or L2TP.
- Configure the Core Transit Static IP.
- All traffic to that IP is routed to your device.
- You can now set up port forwarding locally from your tunnel interface to any internal device in your network.
Benefits of Using Core Transit
- ✅ Static Public IP (IPv4): Even if your ISP won’t give you one.
- ✅ Bypasses CGNAT entirely.
- ✅ Works on any connection, including 4G/5G, satellite.
- ✅ Full port control (TCP, UDP, ICMP).
- ✅ Supported by a wide variety of routers.
Final Thoughts: Yes, You Can Port Forward Behind CGNAT
Being stuck behind CGNAT doesn’t mean giving up on self-hosting, remote access, or running servers. With Core Transit’s Static IP Anywhere, you get a real static IP address and the ability to port forward behind CGNAT—no matter what type of connection your ISP gives you.
If you’re tired of being limited by CGNAT, it’s time to take back control of your network.
Whats Next? Learn more and connect with us!