This NSE4 practice question tests your understanding of firewall policies and nat. 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.
An admin configures a central SNAT rule to translate source IP 10.0.0.0/24 to IP pool 203.0.113.1-203.0.113.10 using overload (PAT). A policy-based NAT on a specific policy also translates the same source to the interface IP. Traffic from 10.0.0.0/24 to the internet shows source IP as the interface IP, not from the IP pool. What is the reason?
The central SNAT rule is disabled
Why wrong: Not necessarily; even if enabled, policy-based NAT takes precedence.
The policy is using fixed port range
Why wrong: Irrelevant to the override.
Policy-based NAT overrides central SNAT rules
When both are configured, the per-policy NAT is applied first.
The IP pool is out of addresses
Why wrong: Would cause errors, not fallback to interface IP.
Answer choices
Answer the question above first, then reveal the full breakdown to understand why each option is right or wrong.
Correct answer & explanation
Policy-based NAT overrides central SNAT rules
Policy-based NAT takes precedence over central SNAT. Since the policy has NAT enabled (policy-based), it overrides the central SNAT rule.
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.
The central SNAT rule is disabled
Why it's wrong here
Not necessarily; even if enabled, policy-based NAT takes precedence.
The policy is using fixed port range
Why it's wrong here
Irrelevant to the override.
Policy-based NAT overrides central SNAT rules
The IP pool is out of addresses
Why it's wrong here
Would cause errors, not fallback to interface IP.
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 NSE4 NAT questions on configuration and troubleshooting.
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FAQ
Firewall Policies and NAT — This question tests Firewall Policies and NAT — Static NAT maps one inside address to one outside address..
The correct answer is: Policy-based NAT overrides central SNAT rules — Policy-based NAT takes precedence over central SNAT. Since the policy has NAT enabled (policy-based), it overrides the central SNAT rule.
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 NSE4 NAT questions on configuration and troubleshooting.
Static NAT maps one inside address to one outside address.
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Last reviewed: Jun 21, 2026
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