What is
CGNAT?
CGNAT is the main reason you can't host a FiveM server from home in Saudi Arabia. Learn what it is and how to bypass it.
What Does CGNAT Mean?
CGNAT (Carrier-Grade NAT) is a technology used by ISPs to share a single public IP address among hundreds or thousands of users. Instead of each household getting its own public IP, the ISP adds an extra NAT layer at the network level.
Imagine an apartment building with 100 units sharing one phone number. If someone wants to call you directly — they can't, because they don't know your unit number. That's exactly what CGNAT does to your internet.
How to Check if You Have CGNAT
Three simple steps to find out.
Open Your Router Settings
Go to your router's admin page (usually 192.168.1.1) and find the WAN IP address.
Check Your Public IP
Visit whatismyip.com and note the IP address shown.
Compare the Two
If the WAN IP on your router is different from whatismyip.com — you have CGNAT. Usually starts with 100.64.x.x or 10.x.x.x.
Most 5G and home internet connections in Saudi Arabia have CGNAT.
Why Other Solutions Don't Work
Why VPN Is Not a Solution
- ✕ High latency: VPN adds 100-200ms on top of your base ping
- ✕ Unreliable connection: VPN can drop or fluctuate during gameplay
- ✕ Not designed for gaming: Built for privacy, not hosting
- ✕ Shared IP: Most VPNs give you a shared IP — same problem as CGNAT
Why VPS Is Not Practical
- ✕ Expensive: VPS costs $10-30/month
- ✕ Requires Linux knowledge: Setting up FiveM on Linux is complex
- ✕ Files aren't on your PC: Any change becomes complicated
- ✕ Ongoing maintenance: You need to update and monitor yourself
Solution Comparison
See how VPN, VPS, and CrystalFive stack up.
| Feature | VPN | VPS | CrystalFive |
|---|---|---|---|
| Port forwarding needed? | Yes | No | No |
| Files on your PC? | No | No | Yes ✓ |
| Latency added | High | Medium | ~50-80ms |
| Arabic support? | No | No | Yes ✓ |
| Monthly cost | $5-10 | $10-30 | From free |
CrystalFive — Built for This Exact Problem
CrystalFive uses an encrypted WireGuard tunnel from your PC to a relay server in Frankfurt. The connection is outbound so CGNAT has no effect. Server files stay on your machine and you can use txAdmin normally.
No port forwarding needed
The relay handles everything — no router changes needed.
Files stay on your PC
Edit and test with ease — no uploading to remote servers.
Low latency
~50-80ms to Saudi Arabia — like any EU server.
txAdmin works normally
No extra configuration — everything is automatic.
Ready to Host?
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