Definition: NAT, otherwise known as Network Address Translation, is used to mask the true identity of internal computers. Typically, the NAT server or device has a public IP address that can be seen by external Hosts. Computers on the local network use a completely different set of IP addresses. When traffic goes out the internal IP address is removed and replaced with the public IP address of the NAT device. When replies come back to the NAT device it determines which internal computer the response belongs to and routes it to its proper destination.
An added benefit is the ability to have more than one computer communicate on the Internet with only one publicly available IP address. Many home routers use Network Address Translation to allow multiple computers to share one IP address.
Also Known As: Network Address Translation