CompTIA Network+ Practice Test

What is Network Address Translation (NAT) used for?

1. To convert private IP addresses into public IP addresses

2. To eliminate the need for IP addresses

3. To connect different network segments without routing

4. To support peer-to-peer networking

The correct answer is: To convert private IP addresses into public IP addresses

Network Address Translation (NAT) is primarily used to convert private IP addresses into public IP addresses. This process is crucial in enabling devices within a private network to access the internet. Private IP addresses are not routable on the public internet, which means that devices with these addresses cannot communicate directly with external networks. NAT acts as an intermediary, translating the private IP addresses of outgoing packets to a public IP address that is routable. When a response is received from the external network, NAT then translates the public IP back to the corresponding private IP, allowing the internal device to receive the response. This functionality is vital for conserving the limited supply of public IP addresses and for providing a layer of security. Since the internal structure of the network is hidden, external entities cannot directly target private devices, reducing the attack surface. The other options do not accurately describe the purpose of NAT. Eliminating the need for IP addresses is not feasible as all devices require a form of addressing for communication. Connecting different network segments without routing suggests a layer 2 operation, which is beyond NAT's role, as NAT functions at layer 3 (network layer). Lastly, while NAT can facilitate connections in certain peer-to-peer scenarios, it does not inherently support peer-to-peer networking