What does NAT stand for in networking?

NAT stands for Network Address Translation. It is a networking process used to change the source or destination IP address of packets as they pass through a router or firewall. NAT allows multiple devices on a local network to share a single public IP address when accessing the internet, which is essential for conserving the limited number of available public IP addresses.

Using NAT provides several benefits, including added security by hiding internal IP addresses from external networks and simplifying IP address assignment within private networks. This mechanism is crucial in environments where many devices need internet connectivity but only a few public IPs are available.

The other options do not accurately reflect the function or purpose of NAT. "Network Address Transfer" mistakenly suggests a movement of addresses rather than translation, "Network Application Tool" does not relate to the addressing aspect of networking, and "Network Access Technology" refers to different forms or methodologies for accessing networks rather than address translation processes. Thus, the correct term is indeed Network Address Translation.