If the test proceeds to the last step (as shown in the screenshot below) and it fails the last steps, then it means your router itself is compatible and has support for UPnP and UPnP is enabled. However, the problem is often related to (A) how the ISP is assigning IP addresses, or (B) your network architecture.
Certain ISPs place customers behind a NAT and share one public IP address with several customers to save IPv4 addresses. This is known as CGNAT or CGN; for more info about CGNAT checkout:
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Carrier-grade_NAT
It has been almost mandatory that mobile telephone operators now use CGNAT for their internet connections. This practice has also been more and more common among fiber and DSL ISPs. CGNAT is no problem for most common subscribers as they only need to browse the web, send emails etc. But CGNAT makes communication in the other direction, from outside Internet into LAN impossible.
This means that a WEPN Pod cannot be used with an ISP using CGNAT. In most cases it’s possible to get a real public IP-address from the ISP for free just by calling them, but in some cases you have to pay extra for it.
(A) To verify if your ISP is using CGNAT, you can follow the steps below:
- Browse the web and go to https://www.whatsmyip.org/ or any similar page which will show from which public IP address your request is coming. This address is always a public IP-address. Take note of this IP address.
- First login to your router admin panel. If you don’t know how to do that, look up your router make and model online (or use https://portforward.com/router.htm) and follow instructions there. Once logged in, look at the status page under the WAN section. The router will report which WAN IP-address it has got from the ISP. Here’s an example:
If it shows the same IP-address as IP address obtained in step (1), then your ISP is NOT using CGNAT and that is NOT the problem.
If the router shows a different WAN IP-address, then the ISP is using CGNAT. If CGNAT is in use the router often shows a WAN IP address like
- 100.xxx.xxx.xxx
- 10.xxx.xxx.xxx
- 192.xxx.xxx.xxx
If your ISP is using CGNAT you must talk to them and tell them that you cannot use a subscription with CGNAT, you must have a public IP-address. This may not be possible if you are receiving internet connection via 4G or 5G modem.
(B) Another reason for test failing at the last step is existence of a hierarchical network
This means your network is a subset of a larger network and your router is connected to another router and is behind a NAT. This is common in enterprise networks implemented for example in large office spaces, universities, dorms, etc.
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