SNAT

In computer networking, the process of network address translation done in a secure way (also known as source network address translation or SNAT for short). This process involves re-writing the source and/or destination addresses of IP packets as they pass through a router or firewall.

Overview

The meaning of SNAT is actually debatable. Many vendors have proprietary connotations for SNAT. Microsoft says it means Secure NAT, in regards to the ISA Server extension discussed below. Per Cisco Systems, SNAT means Stateful NAT. SNAT is also often referred to as Source NAT. Given its counterpart, DNAT, or Destination Network Address Translation, it's easy to see where this assumption comes from.

The IETF defines SNAT as Softwires Network Address Translation. This type of NAT is named after the Softwires working group that is charged with specifying the standardization of discovery, control and encapsulation methods for connecting IPv4 networks across IPv6 networks and IPv6 networks across IPv4 networks. Currently this is an informational Internet Draft [I-D] .

Drawbacks

Benefits

SNAT enhances the underlying NAT functionality by enabling access control for protocols like FTP, ICMP, H.323, and PPTP.The packages have in internet the router's address.

ee also

*DNAT