Mikrotik CG-NAT using NETMAP and hardware offload NAT

I will preface this with that I always say: do not implement this without IPv6 unless you literally have no other choice. IPv6 will allow for a significant resource offload because most eyeball services (Netflix, Youtube, Google, Facebook, etc.) will prefer IPv6, thus removing your requirement for more IPv4 NAT state and overload / port utilization. Because I found no simple how-to for using NETMAP for CGN on a Mikrotik, here is one.

Alternate model for Service Provider networks; or how to keep net neutrality intact

There has been a lot of buzz about the service provider model, net neutrality and tiered access for consumers in the past few years. Just this week Google has been accused of paying Orange (more likely Orange is forcing google) for handling its traffic. This is a VERY slippery slope that teeters on the edge of what we all want to avoid as consumers or content creators. This recent story has sparked something I’ve been thinking about for a very long time.