- A
60 seconds
Why wrong: This is the default for UDP translations, not general NAT.
- B
300 seconds
Why wrong: This is the default for TCP translations after a FIN/RST.
- C
86400 seconds (24 hours)
The default timeout for NAT entries is 24 hours.
- D
Never expires
Why wrong: NAT entries do expire; the default is 24 hours.
Question 1,133 of 2,152
300-410 NAT and PAT Practice Question
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 for NAT translation entries in Cisco IOS?
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
✓
86400 seconds (24 hours)
C is correct because the default timeout for NAT translation entries in Cisco IOS is 86400 seconds (24 hours). This default applies to dynamic NAT translations that are not protocol-specific, such as those for TCP or UDP, and ensures that translations remain active for a full day before being aged out, balancing resource usage with session persistence.
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.
- ✗
60 seconds
- ✗
300 seconds
Why it's wrong here
This is the default for TCP translations after a FIN/RST.
- ✓
86400 seconds (24 hours)
Why this is correct
The default timeout for NAT entries is 24 hours.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
- ✗
Never expires
Why it's wrong here
NAT entries do expire; the default is 24 hours.
Common exam traps
Common exam trap: answer the scenario, not the keyword
Cisco often tests the distinction between general NAT translation timeout and protocol-specific timeouts (like DNS timeout of 300 seconds), leading candidates to mistakenly choose 300 seconds as the default for all NAT entries.
Detailed technical explanation
How to think about this question
Under the hood, Cisco IOS maintains NAT entries in a translation table, and each entry has a configurable timeout that defaults to 86400 seconds for dynamic translations. This timeout is separate from protocol-specific timeouts like TCP (default 86400 seconds as well, but can be adjusted) or UDP (default 300 seconds), and it ensures that idle translations are eventually removed to prevent table exhaustion. In real-world scenarios, this default is critical for long-lived connections like database replication or SSH sessions, where a shorter timeout could cause premature translation removal and connectivity drops.
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.
Visual reference
What to study next
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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 — Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer..
What is the correct answer to this question?
The correct answer is: 86400 seconds (24 hours) — C is correct because the default timeout for NAT translation entries in Cisco IOS is 86400 seconds (24 hours). This default applies to dynamic NAT translations that are not protocol-specific, such as those for TCP or UDP, and ensures that translations remain active for a full day before being aged out, balancing resource usage with session persistence.
What should I do if I get this 300-410 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: Jul 4, 2026
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