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Network Address Translation

Mahesh Shukla edited this page May 20, 2024 · 2 revisions

Concepts Nat act as a traffic controller in network, translating local ip address into public ip address and vice versa.

It prevent the exhaustion of Ipv4 address by allowing multiple devices to share a single public address. Nat manage communication between devices in a private network and the internet.

Types of Nat

Static Nat:- Each private Ip address is mapped to a specific public Ip address permanently. Suitable for devices requring constant accesibility from the internet. like web servers.

Ensure Reliable and consistent communicate but can be costly due to the one-to-one Ip mapping.

Dynamic Nat:- Shares a pool of IP address among multiple private Ip address.

Address flexibility as private Ip use any avaiable public IP from the pool.

Ideal for orginizations with mov edevices from available public Ips, balancing cost and efficiency.

Port Address translation(PAT)

Allow multiple device in aprivate network is s hare a single Public Ip address. Distinguishes device based on unique soure port numbers, enabling simultaneous communication.

Efficiency utilizes public Ips but can lead to slower speeds it too many devices share the same Ip.

Implement Of NAT

Identify public and private interfaces on network devices.

Specify public and private Ip address and goes of Nat(static, dynamic or Pat)

Apply and verify Nat configuration to ensure correct functionality.

Troubleshooting Nat issues

Confirm Nat configuration accuracy, including Ip address and routing tables.

Check routing setting to ensure packets reach their destination.

Use tool like ping or traceroute to track packet path and verify address translation in Nat tables.

Inspect firewall settings for potential conflicts with Nat translation

Analayze log and debug information for error message related to Nat or packet drops.

Nat and cybersecurity

Nat provides obscurity by hiding private Ip address from external Networks, reducing hacking risks.

It reduces the attack surface by consolidating multiple Ip into a single external Ip.

Creates isolation between internal networks and the internet, enhancing security.

Protect against Ip spoofing attack by verifying source and destination Ip address.

Manual Ip assignment

Explanation

In manual Ip assignment you, as the network admininstrator manually configure the Ip address setting for each device on the network.

This includes specifying The ip address, subnet mask, default gateway, and Dns server address

Benefits Provides full control over Ip address allocation allow for specific network configuration tailored to each device needs.

Challenges

time consuming and labor-intensive pronte to human error suc as duplicate IP addresses or incorrect configurations

Use Case:- Suitable for small network with a limited number of device where preceise control over IP addressing in necessary.

Automatic Ip assignment (DHCP)

Explanation

DHCP automates of assigning Ip address to device on the network when a device connects to a network, it sends a Dhcp request , and the Dhcp server dynamically assign ansca available Ip address along with over network configurations parameters.

Benefits

saves times and efforts by eliminating manual Ip assignment, handle Ip address conflicts supports dynamic allocation IP addresses.

Challenges

Relies on functioning of DHCP server, network disruption if the DHCP server is unavailable

Use cases

Ideal for medium for large networks where scalability and efficient Ip address management are crucial.

Apipac (Automate Private Ip addressing)

Explanation

APIPA is tallback mechanism used when a device cannot obtain an Ip address from DHCP.

It assign a temporary IP address from the reversed APIPA range (169.154.0.1) to 169.254.255.224 to Facaliates local network communication

Benefits

Ensures devices can communicate within the local network even without a DHCP server, prevents complete network isolation in case of DHCP server failure.

Challenges

Limited functionality as APIPA addresses cannot access the internal or other subnets temporary soloution until DHCP service are restored.

Use Case

Act as a backup in network where DHCP server availability is uncertain or during DHCP server maintainance

Ip Reservation

Explanation:- Ip reservation allow the DHCP server to reserve specific Ip address for designated device based on their mac addresses. This ensure that certain devices always require the same Ip address whenever they connect to the network.

Benefits

Provides and consistent and predictable Ip addres for critical devices such as servers, printer or network equipment, simplifies network management.

Challenges

Requires configuration and management with the DHCP server, may not be necessary for all devices on the network

Use Case

Particularly useful for devices that require static Ip address for operation stability and accesiblity.

In-depth notes

Manual Assignment

Customized configuration suitable for small networks but required Meticious management as the networks expands

Automatic Assignment (DHCP)

Streamlines Ip address allocation, recommend for medium for large network for efficient resource utilization.

APIPA

Act as a contingency plan, ensure basic network connectivity during DHCP server down time or configuration issues.

Ip reservation

Ensure consistency for important devices, reduces the risk of Ip conflicts and simplifies network troubleshooting for designated devices.

Mac addressing spoofing

Definition
Mac address spoofing is the act of altering the mac address of a device to impersonate another device or to hide the true identity of the device

Note

A mac address is like a unique identify and for devices on a network. It helps devices communicate with each other effectively.

Purpose

It can be used for legitmate purpose like enhancing privacy by preventing tracking based on Mac adddress, however, it's often exploited maliciously by bypass netwrk access controls or to conduct activities anonymously.

Note

helps device communicate within network segment

Format

48-bit number (12 hexadecimal digits) usually displayed in six pairs (e.g 1A-2B-3C-4D-5E-6F)

Mac address filtering

Definition

Mac address filtering is a security measure used in router and access poitns to contorl network accross based on Mac address.

Implementation

Administrators create list of allowed (whitelist) or denied (blocklist) Mac address.

only device with Mac addresses on the whitelist can connect to the network, white those on the blacklist are blocked.

Limitations

While Mac address filtering adds a layer of security, it not fool proof due to Mac address spoofing. Hacker can sniff Mac address of authorized device and used them to bypass filtering.

Complimentary

Mac address filtering should be combined with other security measures like strong encryption, firewalls, intrusion detection systems, and regular security audit for comprehensive network security.

Mac Address managment

challenges

In large network, managing Mac address can be complex due to the sheer number of devices. Keeping track of Mac address ensuring uniqueness, and updating access control list can be daunting tasks.

Tools and soloution

Network administrators use Mac address management tools and techniques to streamline these process. These tool automate Mac address tracking, assist in policy enforcement and enchance network visibility.

Best Practices

Implementing centralized Mac address management, regularly updating access control lists, and monitoring for unauthorized Mac address activity are crucial best practices.

Mac address and devices identification

Device identification

Mac address are used not only for network communication but also for devices identification in various contexts like device provisioning network troubleshooting and asset tracking.

Unique Identifiers

While Mac address are Theoterically unique instances of Mac address duplication can occur due to error or malicious activities like Mac address cloning addressing and resolving these duplications are important for network integrity.

Uniqueness of Mac address

No two devices globally share the same Mac address

consist of an orginization unique identification (OUI) and a serial number. indicating the manufacturer and device uniqueness.

Mac vs Ip address

Mac address:- Local identifier for devices within a network segment

Ip address:- Used for routing data across networks layer.

How mac address work

Assigned to devices network interface controller (NIC) for communication at the data link layer.

Help directed data packets within a local netowrk

Structure of Mac address

Comprises six pair of hexadecimal digits

First three pair represents the manufactures (OUI), and the reamining three pair are device specific

Mac address spoofing

Changing the Mac address of a device to another address. legitmate use for privacy but can be misused to unauthorized network access.

Mac address filtering

Security method allowing or denying network access based on Mac address.

can be bypassed through Mac address spoofing so it's not toolproof.

Mac address play a vital role in network communication ensuring data reaches the correct devices within local network. understanding their structure, uniqueness and security implication is essential for network management security pactices

Internetworking concept

Imagine a massive party where everyone's invited, representing different network, internetworking is like having a magic key that allow seamless interaction between these networks, remain them part of a larger, interconnected network like the internet. this about creating bridges between independent network so they can share information and resources.

Role of routers

Routers are compared to digital postmen, responsible for delivering data packet between different networks. They connect local networks to the broader internet, acting as gatekeeper to ensure data reaches its destination accurately.

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