A solution for routing packets between external and internal IP addresses. NAT is most often used by a router to ensure the operation of local network clients under a single publicly accessible IP. NAT handles outgoing data packets and transmits them outside the local network using an external IP. On entering the local network, response packets are forwarded to the recipient’s internal IP address.
In firewalls and other devices, static or dynamic NAT is also employed, allowing one internal address to be broadcast to one or several external IPs.