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Life Behind the Firewall Curtain?

beegle asks: "After a recent move, I discovered that my only broadband option is a cable company that puts all of its customers behind a NAT box. That means that my ISP gives me a 'private' 10.x.x.x address instead of a routable IP address. I'd like to connect to my machines remotely and use software that depends on a real address (P2P, games, etc.). The ISP doesn't prohibit this, but they're not willing to help, either. I've considered setting up a VPN to a friend's network, but that seems terribly inefficient. What hardware or software would you recommend for those of us who are stuck with 'fake' IP addresses?"

3 of 91 comments (clear)

  1. Re:Hardware? by Jahf · · Score: 0, Flamebait

    What part of "only broadband option" don't you understand?

    I sympathize, my only broadband option (sorry, satellite doesn't count to me ... broadband is about low latency almost as much as fast speed) is 802.11b wireless. I'm lucky that my ISP doesn't filter or NAT me, but if they did I'd be stuck with them.

    --
    It is more productive to voice thoughtful opinions (reply) than to judge (moderate) others.
  2. Mod: -1: The Universe doesn't revolve around you by fm6 · · Score: 0, Flamebait
    Oh grow up. Just because an ISP doesn't support what you want to do doesn't mean they're evil. Not everybody wants to run P2P apps. Most ISP customers just want to surf the web and do email, and do so without worrying about getting their system hacked.

    The alternative is a firewall. Which might make more sense to you, but it's a less reliable solution, and one that creates problems of its own.

  3. Re:Mod: -1: The Universe doesn't revolve around yo by dave420 · · Score: 0, Flamebait
    I agree with you, man!

    Take solace in the fact that this is slashdot, and those who modded you down probably don't know what NAT means, and are just flexing their mod-muscles in the face of someone who knows better. I agree with you - some ISPs don't want the liability and extra work open IPs cause. I think the stance the company is taking is perfectly understandable. Again, being slashdot, if a company acts in a way that doesn't benefit the /. community in a rapid fashion, there must be something wrong with it, and it should be condemned to the deepest levels of hell, even though it's a sound business idea that might actually be doing a lot of people good.

    these mods suck ass.