Introduction

With the release of Netmaker v0.90.0, we’ve simplified things by combining the Remote Access and Relay functionalities into a single feature called Gateways. This new unified approach simplifies the management of secure device connections and ensures reliable network access, whether for remote devices connecting through Remote Access Gateways or nodes behind restrictive network configurations like CGNAT, Double NAT, or firewalls that require Relay functionality.

Here’s how Gateways work:

1. Remote Access – This feature allows unmanaged devices, including smartphones, laptops, desktops, routers, and IoT devices, to securely connect to a Netmaker network via a Remote Access Gateway. It enables remote devices to access the network securely, without requiring full mesh connectivity.

2. Relay – For devices behind CGNAT, Double NAT, or restrictive firewalls, the Relay functionality ensures continuous connectivity by routing traffic through a Relay Server, keeping communication intact even when direct access isn’t possible.

With the introduction of the unified Gateways feature in v0.9.0, we’ve combined Remote Access and Relay to simplify remote connections and overcome network restrictions, ensuring stable and secure communication across various network setups.

How Gateways Work

A Gateway is a publicly reachable node in your Netmaker network that performs one or both of the following functions:

• Remote Access: Provides entry for Remote Access Clients using the Netmaker Desktop App or WireGuard configuration files. These clients, such as smartphones, laptops, desktops, and IoT devices, connect to the gateway to securely access network services.

  

• Relay: Routes traffic for nodes that cannot establish direct peer-to-peer connections due to network restrictions (e.g., NAT or firewalls).