What is the primary reason for using Network Address Translation (NAT) in IPv4 networks?

Correct option is C

The primary purpose of using Network Address Translation (NAT) in IPv4 networks is to conserve the limited number of available public IP addresses. NAT allows multiple devices within a private network to share a single public IP address, thus maximizing the efficient use of public IPs.
Important Key Points:
1. Network Address Translation (NAT): NAT allows devices within a private network to use private IP addresses while sharing one public IP address when communicating with external networks.
2. Conservation of Public IPs: Public IPv4 addresses are limited, and NAT helps mitigate the exhaustion of these addresses by allowing many devices to access the internet using a single public IP.
3. Private vs. Public IPs: NAT enables the use of private IP addresses internally, which are not routable on the internet, thus conserving the finite pool of public IP addresses.
Knowledge Booster:
· To improve network security by encrypting data packets: This option is incorrect because NAT does not encrypt data packets; it only changes the source or destination IP addresses for outgoing or incoming traffic.
· To dynamically assign IP addresses to devices: This function is primarily handled by Dynamic Host Configuration Protocol (DHCP), not NAT.
· To facilitate faster routing between networks: NAT does not impact the routing speed between networks; it merely modifies IP addresses for address translation.