Episode 56: Network Address Translation (NAT) and PAT Concepts
With the limited supply of public IPv4 addresses, Network Address Translation (NAT) became an essential tool for modern networking. In this episode, we break down what NAT is, why it was introduced, and how it allows private internal devices to communicate with external networks using a single public IP. We explain the difference between static and dynamic NAT, how translations are performed, and what role NAT plays in both home and enterprise networks.
We also cover Port Address Translation (PAT), a special form of NAT that enables thousands of internal sessions to share one external IP by tracking unique port numbers. This episode demystifies what’s happening behind the scenes when your router translates traffic for web browsing, video streaming, or VPNs. You’ll walk away with a solid understanding of NAT terminology, its configurations, and why it remains critical in the transition between IPv4 and IPv6.
