So the other day I tried playing some halo 3 online for the first time (I know I'm behind the times) and it mentioned moderat nat may cause problems.

I'm using a Linksys WRT54G/L with DD-WRT firmware so I went into the setup interface on the computer and set a static IP for the 360 and made the same change to the 360 network settings and then set the dmz for that ip which resulted in an open NAT.

My problem is that now every time I turn the 360 on it will not connect to live until I test the connection which passes and I have no further issue until the box is shut down and restarted. Just seems odd to me.

One thing I've been wondering is that I left the dns as "automatic" on the 360. Should I try setting it to manual and putting whatever comcast is showing on my router? It just seems odd that it works after I test the connection with open nat but it connected everytime no problem with moderate.

Another thing, could I leave everything on automatic discovery since it's wired from router to switch to 360's and original xbox or would the ip be assigned depending on which device is turned on first?

Def. a DNS issue. just point the dns server to your router and it will use what ever your router is set to. So set the dns ip to 192.168.1.1 (that should be your default gateway if your router is using that ip scheme). That should do it for you. When you go static 90% of the time you cant leave your DNS automatic.

I've always used my real DNS addresses. Are you saying it's better to enter my default gateway as my DNS on a 360?

I dont know if its any better but i connected to xbox live everytime with no issues.

Manually setting the 360 dns to the router ip appears to have done the trick. Thanks.

nice catch vicodin, I didn't know that.. I usually just use DHCP for the most part.

glad you got it sovled