Network Address Translation (NAT)
Network Address Translation (NAT) is a networking method where IP address information is modified in IP packet headers while the packets are in transit across a traffic routing device. This process is commonly used in routers to allow multiple devices on a local network to share a single public IP address. NAT enhances security by hiding internal IP addresses and enables efficient use of IPv4 addresses, helping to delay IPv4 address exhaustion. It is an essential feature of modern networking, impacting how data is transmitted and received in online communications.