pfSense vs Game Consoles

pfSense's NAT is a bit too secure for games consoles such as PS3, PS4, Wii-U and Switch.  It is pfSense's default behavior of randomising the outbound ports that is confusing some of our network orientated games.

Reference:

• https://forum.pfsense.org/index.php?topic=126746.0

Create an Outbound NAT Entry

I have five gaming consoles so I have assigned static IPs to each (via DHCP static mappings) and created an individual outbound port rule for each console.  The must do aspect is ticking the Static Port option when creating the rule.

By creating specific rules for the game console the connections from other devices in the house (TVs, computers, smart devices) continue to be randomised.

Review the OutBound NAT Entries

Note the tick for each console in the Static Port column. 

UPNP is not Required

UPNP appears to be a distraction in the forums and is not required in my experience.  Set up UPNP access for use by specific devices only:

• https://www.reddit.com/r/PFSENSE/comments/2uc645/need_help_getting_open_nat_on_ps4/

Configure Bash Prompt for Git

 git-prompt.sh script shipped with the git package. Add the following lines to your ~/.bashrc file.


source /usr/share/git-core/contrib/completion/git-prompt.sh
export GIT_PS1_SHOWDIRTYSTATE=true
export GIT_PS1_SHOWUNTRACKEDFILES=true
export PS1='[\u@\h \W$(declare -F __git_ps1 &>/dev/null && __git_ps1 " (%s)")]\$ '

For a fancy coloured prompt try this:export $PS1='\[\033[0;32m\]✔\[\033[0;0m\] \[\033[0;33m\]\w\[\033[0;0m\] [\[\033[0;35m\]${GIT_BRANCH}\[\033[0;0m\]|\[\033[0;34m\]✚ 10\[\033[0;0m\]\[\033[0;36m\]…26\[\033[0;0m\]\[\033[0;0m\]] \n\[\033[0;37m\]$(date +%H:%M)\[\
033[0;0m\] $ '