NAT Overload (PAT) on Consumer Routers

The (upcoming) last major section of this chapter shows how to configure and verify NAT overload, or PAT, on an enterprise-class Cisco router. However, consumer-grade Cisco routers enable many features by default, including PAT. The strategy with consumer-grade routers allows the consumer to just physically install the router and cables, without needing to configure the router. This topic discusses how these consumer-grade routers work to enable PAT, even when using defaults.

First, as mentioned way back in Chapter 3, “Fundamentals of WANs,” products sold in the store as a “router” actually have many features: a router, a LAN switch, often with a wireless LAN access point, and a security firewall. They often ...

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