Static NAT is used to map a single private IP address to a single public IP address on a one-to-one basis. This type of NAT is often used for servers that need to be accessible from the internet. Dynamic NAT, on the other hand, maps private IP addresses to a pool of public IP addresses on a many-to-many basis. This method is useful for situations where the number of public IP addresses is limited but sufficient for the number of private IP addresses.
Port Address Translation (PAT), also known as NAT overload, is the most commonly used type of NAT. PAT maps multiple private IP addresses to a single public IP address using different ports. This technique allows for many-to-one IP address translation, significantly conserving the number of public IP addresses required. PAT is particularly useful in home and small office networks where multiple devices share a single public IP address.
NATkäyttö also plays a crucial role in network security by hiding the internal network structure from the outside world. This obscurity makes it more difficult for external attackers to target specific devices within the network. Additionally, NAT can be used to filter and control traffic, enhancing the overall security posture of the network.
However, NAT also has some limitations and challenges. One of the main issues is the difficulty in establishing direct connections from the internet to devices within a NAT network. This can be problematic for applications that require bidirectional communication or peer-to-peer connections. Another challenge is the potential for NAT to interfere with certain protocols and applications that rely on specific IP address information.