Watchguard Network Security Practice Test

Which type of NAT allows a user on the trusted or optional network to connect to a public server using its public IP address?

1. 1-to1 NAT

2. Dynamic NAT

3. NAT Loopback

4. NAT Reflection

The correct answer is: 1-to1 NAT

The correct choice is 1-to-1 NAT, as it specifically allows for a direct mapping of a private IP address to a public IP address. This means that when a user on the trusted or optional network attempts to connect to a public server using its public IP address, 1-to-1 NAT facilitates this connection by allowing the internal private IP to be effectively translated to its corresponding public IP. This setup is commonly used for services hosted internally that need to be accessed externally while maintaining a consistent public-facing address. In contrast, Dynamic NAT involves a pool of public IP addresses from which private IP addresses can be dynamically assigned for the duration of a session, but does not support a direct mapping for continuous access in the way that 1-to-1 NAT does. NAT Loopback and NAT Reflection are terms often used interchangeably to describe configurations that allow internal users to access publicly available services via public IP addresses; however, they are more about enabling access from inside the network back out to internal resources. They typically involve specific configurations or enhancements of NAT processes, and they do not establish a permanent binding like 1-to-1 NAT does.