How does NAT allow multiple devices to access the internet?

Network Address Translation (NAT) is a process that enables multiple devices to access the internet using a single public IP address. With NAT, a router acts as an intermediary between a private local network and the internet. When a device from the local network wants to access the internet, the router assigns a unique private IP address to it. When the device sends a request to a website, the router replaces its private IP address with its own public IP address. This allows the device to communicate with the website, and when the response is received, the router forwards it back to the appropriate device based on the unique port number it assigned. NAT plays a crucial role in preserving the limited supply of public IP addresses and simplifying the connectivity of multiple devices to the internet.

This mind map was published on 19 November 2023 and has been viewed 102 times.