Cabletron Systems 9032578-05 Chapter Network Address Translation Configuration Guide, Overview

Chapter 16

Network Address

Translation

Configuration

Guide

Overview

Note: Some commands in this facility require updated SSR hardware. Please refer to Appendix A for details.

Network Address Translation (NAT) allows an IP address used within one network to be translated into a different IP address used within another network. NAT is often used to map addresses used in a private, local intranet to one or more addresses used in the public, global Internet. NAT provides the following benefits:

•Limits the number of IP addresses used for private intranets that are required to be registered with the Internet Assigned Numbers Authority (IANA).

•Conserves the number of global IP addresses needed by a private intranet (for example, an entity can use a single IP address to communicate on the Internet).

•Maintains privacy of local networks, as internal IP addresses are hidden from public view.

With NAT, the local network is designated the inside network and the global Internet is designated the outside network. In addition, the SSR supports Port Address Translation (PAT) for either static or dynamic address bindings.

SmartSwitch Router User Reference Manual 219