port address translation

1 definition found

port address translation - Free On-line Dictionary of Computing (26 May 2007) :

  Port Address Translation
  
     <networking> (PAT) A function provided by some routers which
     allows hosts on a LAN to communicate with the rest of a
     network (such as the Internet) without revealing their own
     private IP address.  All outbound packets have their IP
     address translated to the routers external IP address.
     Replies come back to the router which then translates them
     back into the private IP address of the original host for
     final delivery.
  
     Compare SOCKS.
  
     (1998-05-08)