DNAT (Destination Network Address Translation)

Destination Network Address Translation (DNAT) is a technique used in networking to redirect incoming data packets to a different internal device than originally addressed. When data from the internet reaches a network's public IP address, DNAT changes the destination address to the correct private IP inside the network, ensuring the data reaches the intended server or device. This process allows multiple internal devices to share a single public IP address while maintaining proper communication pathways. DNAT is essential for managing access to services like web servers or email servers hosted within a private network.