Guidance on Installing ZeroTier Self-Hosted Controller on Windows Server without Public IP

Hi Everyone,

I’m seeking guidance on setting up a ZeroTier self-hosted controller and could use some advice tailored to my scenario.

My Setup & Requirements:

  • I have a Windows Server machine (no public IP, but has internet access via NAT).
  • I want to create a single ZeroTier network that links multiple devices across different towns, each town having a router with internet access.
  • Ideally, I want to:
    • Have the ZeroTier self-hosted controller running on my Windows Server.
    • Connect remote devices (via their respective routers) to the ZeroTier network.
    • Ensure devices can communicate both via:
      • Cloud route (internet) when remote.
      • Local/LAN route when on the same physical site as the server.
  • I don’t currently have a static public IP or port forwarding on the server’s network.

My Questions:

  1. Is it feasible to run a self-hosted ZeroTier controller on Windows Server without a public IP?
  2. What would be the correct steps to install and configure it on Windows?
  3. Can the controller function behind NAT, or must I have a public IP for proper routing between devices?
  4. How can I configure the routers (if necessary) to assist in NAT traversal or ensure stable connections?
  5. Alternatively, would sticking to ZeroTier’s public root infrastructure be a better option in this case?

I’d really appreciate:

  • Step-by-step guidance or links on how to set up the controller on Windows.
  • Best practices for routing between cloud and local server presence.
  • Any router configurations that can help with NAT traversal.

Thanks in advance for your support!

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