Question 280 of 2,152

NAT and PAT →hardMultiple ChoiceObjective-mapped

Quick Answer

The answer is that static NAT does not translate the source IP for outbound traffic initiated by the inside host. While the static mapping allows inbound traffic to reach the server at 203.0.113.5, when the server sends packets to the outside network, its source IP remains the private address 10.0.0.5, which is not routable across the internet. This is because the `ip nat inside source static` command creates a one-to-one mapping only for traffic destined to the inside global address; it does not automatically translate the source of outbound packets from the inside host. On the Cisco CCNP ENARSI 300-410 exam, this scenario tests your understanding that static NAT is unidirectional by default—a common trap is assuming static NAT works like dynamic PAT for outbound traffic. A helpful memory tip: static NAT is like a door that only opens inward; for the server to go out, you need a separate rule or a route-map to enable source translation.

300-410 NAT and PAT Practice Question

This 300-410 practice question tests your understanding of nat and pat. The scenario asks you to isolate a root cause — eliminate options that address a different problem before choosing. 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.

An engineer configures static NAT on a router to map a public IP 203.0.113.5 to an internal server 10.0.0.5. The configuration includes 'ip nat inside source static 10.0.0.5 203.0.113.5'. The server is reachable from the outside, but the server cannot initiate connections to the outside network. 'Show ip nat translations' shows the static entry. What is the most likely cause?

Clue words in this question

Noticing these words before you look at the options changes how you read each choice.

Clue: "most likely"
Why it matters: Probability qualifier — the question wants the most probable cause or outcome, not a guaranteed one. Eliminate low-probability options.

Question 1hardmultiple choice

Read the full NAT/PAT explanation →

A
The server's default gateway is not the router's inside interface.
Why wrong: Incorrect because if the gateway were wrong, the server would not send traffic to the router at all; the issue is that traffic reaches the router but is not translated.
B
The 'ip nat outside' command is missing on the outside interface.
Why wrong: Incorrect because the static entry is for inbound traffic; outbound traffic from the server would need a separate NAT rule (like PAT) to translate the source.
C
Static NAT does not translate the source IP for outbound traffic initiated by the inside host.
Correct because static NAT only translates destination IP for inbound traffic; for outbound, the source remains private unless additional NAT (e.g., overload) is configured for that host.
D
The router's routing table does not have a route back to the server's subnet.
Why wrong: Incorrect because the server is directly connected, so the router has a connected route; the issue is translation, not routing.

Full breakdown with real-world context →

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

✓

Static NAT does not translate the source IP for outbound traffic initiated by the inside host.

Static NAT only translates the specified inside local to inside global. For the server to reach outside, the router must also translate the source of the server's traffic (which is 10.0.0.5) to a routable IP; without a matching NAT rule for outbound traffic, the server's source remains private.

Key principle: Count usable hosts — not total addresses — and remember that the network and broadcast addresses are not available to hosts in standard IPv4 subnets.

Answer analysis

Option-by-option breakdown

For each option: why learners choose it and why it is or isn't the right answer here.

✗
The server's default gateway is not the router's inside interface.
Why it's wrong here
Incorrect because if the gateway were wrong, the server would not send traffic to the router at all; the issue is that traffic reaches the router but is not translated.
✗
The 'ip nat outside' command is missing on the outside interface.
Why it's wrong here
Incorrect because the static entry is for inbound traffic; outbound traffic from the server would need a separate NAT rule (like PAT) to translate the source.
✓
Static NAT does not translate the source IP for outbound traffic initiated by the inside host.
Why this is correct
Correct because static NAT only translates destination IP for inbound traffic; for outbound, the source remains private unless additional NAT (e.g., overload) is configured for that host.
Clue confirmation
The clue word "most likely" in the question point toward this answer.
Related concept
CIDR notation defines the prefix length.
✗
The router's routing table does not have a route back to the server's subnet.
Why it's wrong here
Incorrect because the server is directly connected, so the router has a connected route; the issue is translation, not routing.

Common exam traps

Common exam trap: usable hosts are not the same as total addresses

Subnetting questions often tempt you into counting all addresses. In normal IPv4 subnets, the network and broadcast addresses are not usable host addresses.

Detailed technical explanation

How to think about this question

Subnetting questions test whether you can identify the network, broadcast address, usable range, mask and correct subnet. Slow down enough to calculate the block size correctly.

KKey Concepts to Remember

CIDR notation defines the prefix length.
Block size helps identify subnet boundaries.
Network and broadcast addresses are not usable hosts in normal IPv4 subnets.
The required host count determines the smallest suitable subnet.

TExam Day Tips

Write the block size before choosing the subnet.
Check whether the question asks for hosts, subnets or a specific address range.
Do not confuse /24, /25, /26 and /27 host counts.

Key takeaway

Count usable hosts — not total addresses — and remember that the network and broadcast addresses are not available to hosts in standard IPv4 subnets.

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 block sizes, usable host formulas (2^n − 2), and how to find network and broadcast addresses for /24 through /30. Then practise related 300-410 subnetting questions on CIDR, address ranges, and subnet selection.

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FAQ

Questions learners often ask

What does this 300-410 question test?

NAT and PAT — This question tests NAT and PAT — CIDR notation defines the prefix length..

What is the correct answer to this question?

The correct answer is: Static NAT does not translate the source IP for outbound traffic initiated by the inside host. — Static NAT only translates the specified inside local to inside global. For the server to reach outside, the router must also translate the source of the server's traffic (which is 10.0.0.5) to a routable IP; without a matching NAT rule for outbound traffic, the server's source remains private.

What should I do if I get this 300-410 question wrong?

Are there clue words in this question I should notice?

Yes — watch for: "most likely". Probability qualifier — the question wants the most probable cause or outcome, not a guaranteed one. Eliminate low-probability options.

What is the key concept behind this question?

CIDR notation defines the prefix length.

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