Netgate Discussion Forum
    • Categories
    • Recent
    • Tags
    • Popular
    • Users
    • Search
    • Register
    • Login

    how is localhost still reaching domains without localhost NAT rules?

    Scheduled Pinned Locked Moved Routing and Multi WAN
    6 Posts 2 Posters 474 Views
    Loading More Posts
    • Oldest to Newest
    • Newest to Oldest
    • Most Votes
    Reply
    • Reply as topic
    Log in to reply
    This topic has been deleted. Only users with topic management privileges can see it.
    • J
      Jimbo123
      last edited by

      At some point during the configuration of my firewall I deleted my localhost NAT rules in advanced NAT. I am clueless as to how my firewall is still able to download package lists and check for updates. I have reset states and rebooted with this configuration and it is all still working. How is this possible when localhost 127.0.0.0/8 no-longer has NAT configured to any gateway destinations? I understand this isn't a problem as such but I'm just trying to understand how this is still working.

      1 Reply Last reply Reply Quote 0
      • jimpJ
        jimp Rebel Alliance Developer Netgate
        last edited by

        Most often those things are sourced from an interface address, not localhost. The localhost NAT rules allow things which specifically choose to bind to localhost to route out. That is not typical, but still expected to work.

        Remember: Upvote with the ๐Ÿ‘ button for any user/post you find to be helpful, informative, or deserving of recognition!

        Need help fast? Netgate Global Support!

        Do not Chat/PM for help!

        J 1 Reply Last reply Reply Quote 1
        • J
          Jimbo123 @jimp
          last edited by

          @jimp Thanks, that makes sense. So what things would you expect to bind strictly just to localhost? I have since reconfigured my localhost NAT rules but nothing seemed to break without those rules in place.

          1 Reply Last reply Reply Quote 0
          • jimpJ
            jimp Rebel Alliance Developer Netgate
            last edited by

            Not much out of the box, but some people choose to bind daemons like OpenVPN, ntpd, or the DNS Resolver to localhost for a variety of reasons.

            Remember: Upvote with the ๐Ÿ‘ button for any user/post you find to be helpful, informative, or deserving of recognition!

            Need help fast? Netgate Global Support!

            Do not Chat/PM for help!

            J 1 Reply Last reply Reply Quote 1
            • J
              Jimbo123
              last edited by

              Ah yes, I do remember reading about binding to localhost for dual WAN setups. Thanks for the info, it's great to have such a knowledgeable and helpfull community.

              1 Reply Last reply Reply Quote 0
              • J
                Jimbo123 @jimp
                last edited by

                @jimp Ah yes, I do remember reading about binding to localhost for dual WAN OpenVPN setups. Thanks for the info, it's great to have such a knowledgeable and helpfull community.

                1 Reply Last reply Reply Quote 0
                • First post
                  Last post
                Copyright 2025 Rubicon Communications LLC (Netgate). All rights reserved.