NAT (EN)

Definition

NAT (Network Address Translation) is a procedure that enables multiple devices in a private network to access the internet through a single public IP address. NAT translates the private IP addresses of internal devices into the public IP address of the router when data packets leave the network. On the return path, the responses are forwarded back to the correct devices in the internal network according to the original requests. This technology is essential for most private networks since the number of available public IPv4 addresses is limited.

Architecture

flowchart LR   A[Internet] --> B[NAT Router]   B --> C[PC 1]   B --> D[PC 2]   B --> E[Smartphone]   B --> F[Tablet]      subgraph Privates Netzwerk     direction TB     C     D     E     F   end 

In Context

• Typically used together with firewalls and routers
• Related to: DHCP, Port Forwarding, IPv4 address shortage
• Example use: Home networks, corporate networks