- → Why each wrong option is wrong in this specific scenario
- → When each wrong option would be correct
- → Real-world analogy and exam trap analysis
- → Related glossary terms and similar practice questions
CCNA Practice Question: A small office network uses a single public IP…
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.
A small office network uses a single public IP address on its router's WAN interface. The network administrator needs to allow all internal hosts to access the internet, but must also ensure that an internal web server with a private IP address is reachable from the internet. Which NAT configuration should the administrator implement to meet both requirements?
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
Configure PAT (overload) for internal hosts and static NAT for the web server.
The correct answer is to configure PAT (overload) for internal hosts and static NAT for the web server. PAT allows multiple internal hosts to share the single public IP for outbound access, while static NAT provides a fixed one-to-one mapping for inbound access to the web server. Dynamic NAT would require multiple public IPs, which is not available. Using only PAT would not allow inbound access to the web server. Using only static NAT would not support multiple internal hosts sharing the single IP.
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.
- ✗
Configure dynamic NAT with a pool of public IPs and static NAT for the web server.
- ✓
Configure PAT (overload) for internal hosts and static NAT for the web server.
- ✗
Configure only PAT (overload) for all internal hosts including the web server.
Why it's wrong here
PAT alone does not allow inbound connections from the internet to reach an internal server because the translation is dynamic and initiated from inside.
- ✗
Configure static NAT for the web server and use only the public IP for internal hosts.
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.
✓Configure PAT (overload) for internal hosts and static NAT for the web server.Correct answer▾
Why this is correct
PAT allows multiple internal hosts to share the single public IP for outbound traffic, while static NAT provides a permanent mapping for inbound traffic to the web server.
✗Configure dynamic NAT with a pool of public IPs and static NAT for the web server.Wrong answer — click to see why▾
Why this is wrong here
Only one public IP is available, so a pool cannot be created.
✗Configure only PAT (overload) for all internal hosts including the web server.Wrong answer — click to see why▾
Why this is wrong here
Inbound access to the web server would not be possible without a static mapping.
✗Configure static NAT for the web server and use only the public IP for internal hosts.Wrong answer — click to see why▾
Why this is wrong here
Internal hosts would not be able to access the internet because they lack public IP assignments.
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: Configure PAT (overload) for internal hosts and static NAT for the web server. — The correct answer is to configure PAT (overload) for internal hosts and static NAT for the web server. PAT allows multiple internal hosts to share the single public IP for outbound access, while static NAT provides a fixed one-to-one mapping for inbound access to the web server. Dynamic NAT would require multiple public IPs, which is not available. Using only PAT would not allow inbound access to the web server. Using only static NAT would not support multiple internal hosts sharing the single IP.
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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