pwnat ☆

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Description:
Proxy server that works behind a NAT

Type: Formula | Tracked Since: Dec 28, 2025

Links: Homepage | formulae.brew.sh

Category: Networking

Tags: nat-traversal proxy udp networking firewall

Install: brew install pwnat

About:
Pwnat is a proxy server designed to bypass NAT and firewall restrictions by creating a direct communication channel between two hosts behind different NATs. It uses a third-party 'trickler' server to exchange initial handshake packets, allowing UDP hole punching to establish a peer-to-peer connection. This enables applications to communicate directly without requiring port forwarding or complex network configuration.

Key Features:

UDP hole punching for NAT traversal
No port forwarding required
Works with most NAT types
Lightweight and simple to configure

Use Cases:

Peer-to-peer gaming behind restrictive NATs
Direct file sharing between remote networks
VPNs and tunneling across firewalls

Alternatives:

STUN/TURN servers – Pwnat is simpler and doesn't require STUN/TURN infrastructure
SSH tunneling – Pwnat works with UDP and doesn't need an intermediate server with SSH access

Version History

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