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What is NAT (Network Address Translation)?

NAT (Network Address Translation) is a method used to change the IP address of traffic as it passes through a routing device. Its primary use cases include enhancing security by hiding the original IP address of a packet and enabling translation between private and public IP addresses to conserve public IP address space.

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Key NAT Types

  • SNAT (Source NAT): This is commonly used to allow multiple devices within a private network (like an office or home) to share a single public internet connection. It works by masking multiple internal private IP addresses behind one public IP address.
  • 1:1 NAT: This translates one internal, private IP address to one external, public IP address. It is sometimes described as a DMZ (Demilitarized Zone) because it fully exposes an internal host to the outside network, making it directly reachable from the internet.
To configure NAT rules in the DynamicLink portal, follow these steps:

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Step 1: Enable Address Translation (NAT) Service for the Tenant

Before you can create NAT rules, the service must be enabled for the tenant.
  1. Navigate to Tenants from the bottom menu.
  2. Select the desired tenant from the list.
  3. Click the pencil icon to edit the tenant settings.
  4. Under “Select services for the tenant”, ensure Address Translation (NAT) is enabled.

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Step 2: Add a NAT Rule

Once the service is enabled, you can create the specific translation rules.
  1. Navigate to the Services menu (bottom menu).
  2. Select My Services.
  3. Click on Applications: NAT.
  4. Click the + Add button to open the “Add NAT Rule” dialog.
  5. In the dialog that appears, fill out the following fields:
    • Type: Select the NAT type from the drop-down list. DynamicLink supports Source NAT, 1:1 NAT, and Port Forwarding.
    • Name: Give the NAT rule a descriptive name (e.g., WebServer-1-to-1-NAT).
    • Description: Provide a freeform text description explaining the rule’s purpose.
    • Inside:
      • For 1:1 NAT, enter the single internal IP address to translate from.
      • For Source NAT, enter the internal subnet to translate from (e.g., 192.168.1.0/24).
    • Outside: Choose an interface to use. If the NAT rule is for internet access, select the interface provided for that purpose. Entering a single IP here is typically only used for 1:1 NAT applications.
  6. Click Add to save the new NAT rule.

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Step 3: Edit or Delete a NAT Rule (Optional)

You can easily manage your existing NAT rules.
  • To Edit: Hover the mouse over a NAT rule in the list, click the pencil icon, make the necessary changes, and then click Edit to save.
  • To Delete: Hover the mouse over the rule in the list, then click the trashcan icon to permanently remove it.