If NAT stands for 'Network Address Translation', what does NAPT stand for?

NAPT stands for "Network Address Port Translation." This technique extends the concept of traditional Network Address Translation (NAT) by allowing multiple devices on a local network to be mapped to a single public IP address but using different ports. This is often employed in scenarios where there are limited public IP addresses available. With NAPT, each device can communicate over the internet while being distinguished by its unique port number in combination with the shared public IP address.

The use of ports in NAPT allows for efficient routing of incoming and outgoing traffic from different devices, making it an essential method for conserving IP addresses, particularly in environments where many devices must access the internet simultaneously. This functionality is crucial for environments like home networks or enterprises, where multiple devices (computers, tablets, etc.) share the same public IP while maintaining individuality through their specific port numbers.