- A
Configure dynamic NAT with a pool of public IPs and static NAT for the web server.
Why wrong: Dynamic NAT requires a pool of public IPs, but the office has only one public IP, so this is not feasible.
- B
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 traffic, while static NAT provides a permanent mapping for inbound traffic to the web server.
- C
Configure only PAT (overload) for all internal hosts including the web server.
Why wrong: PAT alone does not allow inbound connections from the internet to reach an internal server because the translation is dynamic and initiated from inside.
- D
Configure static NAT for the web server and use only the public IP for internal hosts.
Why wrong: Without PAT, internal hosts cannot share the single public IP; they would need their own public IPs or a different method.
Quick Answer
The correct configuration is to implement PAT (overload) for internal hosts and static NAT for the web server. This combination works because PAT allows all internal hosts to share the single public IP address by dynamically mapping each outbound session to a unique port number, fulfilling the requirement for outbound internet access. Simultaneously, static NAT creates a fixed one-to-one mapping from a specific public IP and port to the private IP of the internal web server, enabling inbound connections from the internet. On the CCNA 200-301 v2 exam, this scenario tests your understanding of how to satisfy both outbound and inbound traffic constraints with a single public IP, a common real-world challenge. A frequent trap is confusing static NAT with dynamic NAT or forgetting that PAT handles the port multiplexing for outbound traffic. For a quick memory tip, think: “PAT for outbound, static for inbound—one IP does it all.”
CCNA Network Services and Security Practice Question
This 200-301 practice question tests your understanding of network services and security. This is a configuration task: choose the command set that satisfies every stated requirement. Small differences — like 'secret' vs 'password' or 'transport input ssh' vs 'all' — change whether the answer is correct. 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.
Option B is correct because PAT (Port Address Translation), also known as NAT overload, allows multiple internal hosts to share a single public IP address by mapping each session to a unique port number, satisfying the requirement for internet access. Static NAT is then used to create a one-to-one mapping from the public IP (on a specific port) to the private IP of the internal web server, making it reachable from the internet. This combination meets both outbound connectivity for all hosts and inbound access to the web server without needing additional public IPs.
Key principle: Answer the scenario, not the keyword: identify the specific constraint before choosing the most familiar-sounding option.
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: answer the scenario, not the keyword
Cisco often tests the misconception that PAT alone can handle inbound traffic, but the trap here is that PAT only translates outbound sessions unless a static entry is explicitly configured for the server, leading candidates to incorrectly select option C.
Detailed technical explanation
How to think about this question
PAT works by modifying the source port number in the TCP/UDP header to a unique value from a pool (typically 1024–65535) and tracking these mappings in the NAT translation table, allowing thousands of concurrent sessions from different internal hosts. For inbound access, static NAT (often configured as 'ip nat inside source static tcp 192.168.1.10 80 203.0.113.1 80') maps a specific public IP and port to the internal server, bypassing the PAT table. A real-world scenario is a small business using a single ISP-assigned IP for both employee browsing and hosting a company website, where misconfiguring the order of NAT rules can cause the static entry to be overridden by PAT translations.
KKey Concepts to Remember
- Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
- Find the constraint that changes the correct option.
- Eliminate answers that are true in general but not in this case.
TExam Day Tips
- Watch for words such as best, first, most likely and least administrative effort.
- Review why wrong options are wrong, not only why the correct option is correct.
Key takeaway
Answer the scenario, not the keyword: identify the specific constraint before choosing the most familiar-sounding option.
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.
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FAQ
Questions learners often ask
What does this 200-301 question test?
Network Services and Security — This question tests Network Services and Security — Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer..
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. — Option B is correct because PAT (Port Address Translation), also known as NAT overload, allows multiple internal hosts to share a single public IP address by mapping each session to a unique port number, satisfying the requirement for internet access. Static NAT is then used to create a one-to-one mapping from the public IP (on a specific port) to the private IP of the internal web server, making it reachable from the internet. This combination meets both outbound connectivity for all hosts and inbound access to the web server without needing additional public IPs.
What should I do if I get this 200-301 question wrong?
Identify which exam domain this question belongs to, review the core concept, then practise similar questions from the same domain.
What is the key concept behind this question?
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
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Last reviewed: Jun 11, 2026
This 200-301 practice question is part of Courseiva's free Cisco certification practice question bank. Courseiva provides original exam-style practice questions with explanations, topic-based practice, mock exams, readiness tracking, and study analytics to help learners prepare for the 200-301 exam.
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