What is NAT?

A method of mapping private IP addresses to public IP addresses for internet access.

Detailed Explanation

NAT allows multiple devices on a private network to share a single public IP address. When a device sends data to the internet, the NAT router replaces the private source IP with its public IP and tracks the connection. When responses return, it translates back to the correct private IP. This conserves public IP addresses and provides a basic level of security by hiding internal network structure.

Examples

  • Home router translates 192.168.1.x to public IP
  • Port forwarding uses NAT to direct traffic to specific devices
  • NAT types in gaming: Open (no restriction), Moderate, Strict