CGNAT is just how your internet is connected behind the scenes.
Instead of your home having its own public internet address, it shares one with other customers. Your connection still works the same way, you just don’t see it.
You don’t need to set anything up. It happens automatically.
Will I notice CGNAT?
No, not for normal use.
If you:
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Stream shows or movies
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Browse the web
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Use apps and social media
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Work from home
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Play online games
Everything will work as expected.
Most people never know they are on CGNAT.
Why do providers use it?
There are not enough public internet addresses for every household to have one.
CGNAT is a way to share them so everyone can stay connected.
It is very common and used by many providers.
Is CGNAT safe?
Yes.
In fact, it adds a bit of extra protection.
With CGNAT:
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People on the internet cannot directly connect into your home network
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Unwanted traffic is blocked before it reaches you
For everyday use, this is a good thing.
When does CGNAT matter?
Only in certain situations.
You might run into issues if you want to:
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Access your home network from outside
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Run a server at home
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Set up port forwarding
Most households never need to do this.
What about security cameras?
Most modern security camera systems do not need a static IP.
Brands like Ring and Eufy send footage to their own cloud servers.
What this means:
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Your camera connects out to the internet
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You view footage through an app or website
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No direct connection into your home is required
Because of this, CGNAT works perfectly fine for the majority of camera setups.
You would only need a static IP if you are running a fully local system and want to access it directly from outside your home.
What is a static IP?
A static IP is your own dedicated internet address.
It stays the same and is not shared with others.
This allows:
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Direct access into your home network
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More control for advanced setups
When would I need a static IP?
You might need one if you:
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Have a custom CCTV or NVR system you want to access remotely
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Run a home server or game server
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Use remote desktop into your home network
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Need a fixed address for work or business tools
If none of that applies, you probably don’t need one.
Does CGNAT make my internet slower?
No.
Your speed and performance stay the same.
Things that affect speed are:
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Your internet plan
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WiFi setup
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Network congestion
Not CGNAT.
Does CGNAT affect gaming?
For most games, no.
Online gaming works normally.
In some cases, certain games may prefer a direct connection, but most modern games are built to work fine on CGNAT.
What does ZipFibre offer?
At the time of writing, ZipFibre includes a static IP in your plan price.
That means:
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You can use your internet normally like any other connection
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Or take advantage of a static IP if you need it
You don’t have to do anything unless you want to use it.
So what should I use?
For most people:
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CGNAT is simple and works without any effort
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A static IP is only needed for specific setups
If you’re just using the internet day to day, CGNAT is perfectly fine.