Cisco Certified Support Technician (CCST) NetworkingNetworking FundamentalsEasy

A network technician is configuring a new router to connect a corporate network to the internet. The corporate network uses private IP addresses, and the router needs to translate these private addresses into a single public IP address for all outbound internet traffic. Which technology is required for this function?

  1. ADHCP (Dynamic Host Configuration Protocol)
  2. BVPN (Virtual Private Network)
  3. CNAT (Network Address Translation)
  4. DDNS (Domain Name System)
Show answer & explanation

Correct answer: C. NAT (Network Address Translation)

Network Address Translation (NAT) is used to translate private IP addresses within a local network to a public IP address when communicating with external networks like the internet, conserving public IP addresses.

Why the other options are wrong

  • A. DHCP assigns IP addresses to devices dynamically, not for translating private to public IPs.
  • B. VPN creates a secure, encrypted connection over a public network, not for IP address translation.
  • D. DNS translates domain names to IP addresses, not for address translation between private and public networks.

Network Address Translation (NAT)

NAT is a method of remapping one IP address space into another by modifying network address information in the IP header of packets while they are in transit across a traffic routing device.

  • Conserves public IPv4 addresses.
  • Provides a layer of security by hiding internal network topology.
  • Typically performed by routers or firewalls at the edge of a network.

Memory trick: NAT: Narrows Addresses to the Internet.

More Networking Fundamentals questions