Guide to Port Address Translation (PAT)
What is PAT?
Port Address Translation (PAT) is a function that allows multiple devices on a local area network (LAN) to be mapped to a single public IP address in order to conserve IP addresses. Why is PAT important?
PAT is critical for conserving IP addresses, an increasingly scarce resource in networking. By allowing many devices on a LAN to share a single IP address, PAT contributes significantly to the efficiency of IP address use.
How does PAT work?
PAT works by differentiating each user's data from others by using unique source port numbers. When the response data from the Internet comes back, the router uses the port number to determine which device on the LAN to route the data to.
Exam tips - Answering questions on PAT:
It is crucial when answering any PAT related questions to underline its function in conserving IP addresses and its technique of using unique port numbers for differentiating user's data. You should understand how PAT allows multiple devices to share a single public IP address. It may also be beneficial to note how PAT is essentially a form of Network Address Translation (NAT).
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Port Address Translation (PAT) practice test
Port Address Translation (PAT), also known as Network Address Port Translation (NAPT) or overloading, is a technique used to extend the available IP address space within a network by allowing multiple devices to share a single public IP address. PAT is an extension of Network Address Translation (NAT), which maps private IP addresses to public ones. Unlike basic NAT, where a unique public IP address is mapped to each private IP address, PAT allows multiple private IP addresses to be translated to a single public IP address by utilizing different port numbers. When a device initiates communication with an external server, PAT assigns a unique source port number to the device's private IP address and maps it to a single public IP address. The responses from the external server are then translated back to the appropriate internal device using the same port numbers. PAT is an essential technique for conserving public IP addresses and providing connectivity to devices in private IP address ranges.
Time: 5 minutes Questions: 5
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