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Question 538 of 1,052
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CCNA Practice Question: Which TWO statements correctly describe the…
This 200-301 practice question tests your understanding of 200-301 exam topics. Read the scenario carefully and evaluate each option against the stated constraints before committing to an answer. After answering, compare your reasoning against the explanation and wrong-answer breakdown below. Once you have made your selection, read the full explanation to reinforce the concept and understand why each distractor is designed to mislead on exam day.
Which TWO statements correctly describe the behavior of PAT (Port Address Translation) as configured on a Cisco router?
Answer choices
Why each option matters
Answer the question above first, then reveal the full breakdown to understand why each option is right or wrong.
Correct answer & explanation
✓
PAT translates multiple internal addresses to a single public IP address by using unique source port numbers.
PAT (Port Address Translation) is a form of dynamic NAT that maps multiple private IP addresses to a single public IP address by using unique source port numbers. This conserves public IP addresses and allows many internal hosts to share one public address. The correct answers identify key PAT behaviors: the use of port numbers to distinguish translations and the support for many internal hosts with a single public IP. The distractors either describe static NAT (fixed one-to-one mapping) or incorrectly state that PAT uses only IP addresses without ports.
Key principle: NAT direction and interface roles matter as much as the IP address mapping. Inside/outside designation controls which traffic is translated.
Answer analysis
Option-by-option breakdown
For each option: why learners choose it and why it is or isn't the right answer here.
- ✓
PAT translates multiple internal addresses to a single public IP address by using unique source port numbers.
Why this is correct
PAT distinguishes between multiple internal hosts sharing the same public IP by assigning a different source port for each session. The router maintains a translation table that tracks the original internal IP and port along with the assigned public IP and port.
Related concept
Static NAT maps one inside address to one outside address.
- ✗
PAT requires a 1:1 mapping of internal to external IP addresses.
- ✗
PAT can only be configured with a pool of public IP addresses.
Why it's wrong here
PAT can be configured with either a single public IP address (using the interface address) or a pool of public IP addresses. It does not require a pool; a single address is sufficient for PAT overload.
- ✓
PAT uses both IP addresses and port numbers to track translations.
- ✗
PAT translations are always static and never time out.
Option-by-option analysis
Why each answer is right or wrong
Understanding why wrong answers are wrong — and when they would be correct — is what separates a 750 score from a 900. The 200-301 exam frequently reuses these exact scenarios with slightly different constraints.
✓PAT translates multiple internal addresses to a single public IP address by using unique source port numbers.Correct answer▾
Why this is correct
PAT distinguishes between multiple internal hosts sharing the same public IP by assigning a different source port for each session. The router maintains a translation table that tracks the original internal IP and port along with the assigned public IP and port.
✗PAT requires a 1:1 mapping of internal to external IP addresses.Wrong answer — click to see why▾
Why this is wrong here
This describes static NAT, not PAT. PAT is designed to conserve IP addresses by allowing many-to-one mapping.
✗PAT can only be configured with a pool of public IP addresses.Wrong answer — click to see why▾
Why this is wrong here
PAT can be configured with just one public IP (e.g., using the 'ip nat inside source list ACL interface serial0/0/0 overload' command).
✗PAT translations are always static and never time out.Wrong answer — click to see why▾
Why this is wrong here
PAT translations are dynamic and age out; they are not static. Static NAT entries are manually configured and do not time out.
Analysis generated from the official 200-301blueprint and verified against question context. The “when correct” sections are what AI assistants cite when candidates ask “what’s the difference between these options?”
Common exam traps
Common exam trap: NAT rules depend on direction and matching traffic
NAT is not only about the public address. The inside/outside interface roles and the ACL or rule that matches traffic are just as important.
Detailed technical explanation
How to think about this question
NAT questions usually test address translation, overload/PAT behaviour, static mappings and whether the right traffic is being translated. Read the interface direction and address terms carefully.
KKey Concepts to Remember
- Static NAT maps one inside address to one outside address.
- PAT allows many inside hosts to share one public address using ports.
- Inside local and inside global describe the private and translated addresses.
- NAT ACLs identify traffic for translation, not always security filtering.
TExam Day Tips
- Identify inside and outside interfaces first.
- Check whether the scenario needs static NAT, dynamic NAT or PAT.
- Do not confuse NAT matching ACLs with normal packet-filtering intent.
Key takeaway
NAT direction and interface roles matter as much as the IP address mapping. Inside/outside designation controls which traffic is translated.
Real-world example
How this comes up in practice
A small business has 20 workstations on the 192.168.1.0/24 network and one public IP from its ISP. The router uses PAT (NAT overload) so all 20 devices share one public address using different source ports. NAT questions test whether you understand the four address terms and which direction each translation applies.
What to study next
Got this wrong? Here's your next step.
Review the four NAT address types (inside local, inside global, outside local, outside global), PAT port overload, and static vs dynamic NAT use cases. Then practise related 200-301 NAT questions on configuration and troubleshooting.
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FAQ
Questions learners often ask
What does this 200-301 question test?
Static NAT maps one inside address to one outside address.
What is the correct answer to this question?
The correct answer is: PAT translates multiple internal addresses to a single public IP address by using unique source port numbers. — PAT (Port Address Translation) is a form of dynamic NAT that maps multiple private IP addresses to a single public IP address by using unique source port numbers. This conserves public IP addresses and allows many internal hosts to share one public address. The correct answers identify key PAT behaviors: the use of port numbers to distinguish translations and the support for many internal hosts with a single public IP. The distractors either describe static NAT (fixed one-to-one mapping) or incorrectly state that PAT uses only IP addresses without ports.
What should I do if I get this 200-301 question wrong?
Review the four NAT address types (inside local, inside global, outside local, outside global), PAT port overload, and static vs dynamic NAT use cases. Then practise related 200-301 NAT questions on configuration and troubleshooting.
What is the key concept behind this question?
Static NAT maps one inside address to one outside address.
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