Watchguard Network Security Practice Test

Which type of NAT changes and routes all packets sent from one range of addresses to another?

1. Dynamic NAT

2. 1-to1 NAT

3. NAT Loopback

4. Port Address Translation

The correct answer is: 1-to1 NAT

1-to1 NAT, also known as static NAT, is designed to create a direct mapping between a limited number of private IP addresses and public IP addresses. This configuration allows each internal IP address to be translated to a unique external IP address, ensuring that all packets from a specified range of addresses are consistently routed to their designated external counterpart. This method is particularly useful for scenarios where devices within a local network need to be accessible from an external network using a stable and unchanging IP address. In essence, 1-to1 NAT provides a straightforward and reliable routing mechanism for traffic, making it ideal for server setups or services that require a persistent presence on the internet. In contrast, other NAT types like dynamic NAT and Port Address Translation serve different purposes. Dynamic NAT translates a range of private IP addresses to a pool of public IP addresses, but it does not ensure a one-to-one correlation for every packet. Port Address Translation, on the other hand, translates private addresses to a single public address by differentiating between traffic using port numbers, which does not meet the criteria of changing and routing every packet from one specific range to another in a one-to-one fashion.