Quick Answer
The answer is 86400 seconds, or 24 hours, for the default NAT timeout value in Cisco IOS when Port Address Translation (PAT) is not in use. This extended timeout is defined in RFC 2663, which specifies that basic NAT translations—where a single inside local address maps directly to a single inside global address—should remain active for a full day to minimize control-plane overhead and avoid frequent re-translations for long-lived connections. On the Cisco CCNP ENARSI 300-410 exam, this concept tests your understanding of the distinction between dynamic NAT and PAT timeouts; a common trap is confusing this 86400-second default with the much shorter 60-second default for PAT entries. Remember that without PAT, the router assumes the session is stable and keeps the binding for 24 hours. A useful memory tip: think of “no PAT” as “no rush”—the translation sticks around for a full day, or 86,400 seconds, which is exactly 24 hours in seconds.
This 300-410 practice question tests your understanding of nat and pat. 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.
What is the default timeout value for a NAT translation entry that is not using Port Address Translation (PAT) in Cisco IOS?
60 seconds
Why wrong: This is the default timeout for UDP NAT translations, not basic NAT.
300 seconds
Why wrong: This is the default timeout for TCP NAT translations without data transfer.
86400 seconds
Correct. Basic NAT translations default to 24 hours (86400 seconds) in Cisco IOS.
3600 seconds
Why wrong: This is not a default NAT timeout value in Cisco IOS.
Answer choices
Answer the question above first, then reveal the full breakdown to understand why each option is right or wrong.
Correct answer & explanation
86400 seconds
The default timeout for a basic NAT translation (no PAT) is 86400 seconds (24 hours). This is defined in RFC 2663 and implemented as the default in Cisco IOS.
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
For each option: why learners choose it and why it is or isn't the right answer here.
60 seconds
300 seconds
86400 seconds
3600 seconds
Why it's wrong here
This is not a default NAT timeout value in Cisco IOS.
Common exam traps
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
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.
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
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
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 300-410 NAT questions on configuration and troubleshooting.
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FAQ
NAT and PAT — This question tests NAT and PAT — Static NAT maps one inside address to one outside address..
The correct answer is: 86400 seconds — The default timeout for a basic NAT translation (no PAT) is 86400 seconds (24 hours). This is defined in RFC 2663 and implemented as the default in Cisco IOS.
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 300-410 NAT questions on configuration and troubleshooting.
Static NAT maps one inside address to one outside address.
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Last reviewed: Jun 19, 2026
This 300-410 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 300-410 exam.
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