PAT (Port Address Translation)

Port Address Translation (PAT), also known as NAT overload, is a networking technique that allows multiple devices within a local network to share a single public IP address when accessing the internet. It works by assigning unique port numbers to each device's connection, so the router can distinguish between multiple internal devices using the same IP address. This way, many devices can communicate externally using only one public IP, while incoming responses are correctly routed back to the original device based on their port numbers. PAT helps conserve public IP addresses and enhances network security by hiding internal device details.