Latest

Home / NAT / networking / Proxy / Security / Exploring the Differences: NAT Vs Proxy ?

Exploring the Differences: NAT Vs Proxy ?

November 30, 2023 , , ,

Exploring the Differences: NAT Vs Proxy ?

Network Address Translation (NAT) and proxy servers are both networking technologies, although they serve distinct functions and operate at separate layers of the OSI model. 


Exploring the Differences: NAT Vs Proxy ?
Fig 1.1- NAT Vs Proxy

⚡ What is NAT ? 📜

By allowing several devices on a local network to share a single public IP address, Network Address Translation (NAT) is primarily used to save public IP addresses. When talking with external networks, it transforms private IP addresses used within a local network into a single public IP address. Network Address Translation (NAT) operates at the OSI model's network layer (Layer 3). It changes the source and destination IP addresses in packet headers as they travel between the local and public networks.

⚡ Types of NAT

  • Static NAT: Maps a private IP address to a specific public IP address.
  • Dynamic NAT: Maps private IP addresses to public IP addresses dynamically from a pool.
  • NAT Overload (PAT): Maps multiple private IP addresses to a single public IP address using different port numbers.

⚡ What is Proxy ? 📜

A proxy server functions as a bridge between client devices and the internet. It is used for a variety of objectives, including boosting performance, increasing security, and giving anonymity. Proxies function at the application layer (Layer 7) of the OSI model. They intercept and redirect client requests to servers and vice versa. Proxies can inspect, change, or cache material throughout this process.

⚡ Types of Proxy 

  • Forward Proxy: Acts on behalf of clients to access resources from the internet.
  • Reverse Proxy: Acts on behalf of servers to handle requests from clients.
  • Transparent Proxy: Operates without the knowledge of clients or servers.

⚡ NAT Vs Proxy📜

Network Address Translation (NAT) and proxy are two ways for changing a device's IP address for Internet connection. Network Address Translation (NAT) operates at the network layer to shift the local IP to a public IP, whereas proxy works at the application layer to offer security and filtering for the device.

NAT vs Proxy

Network Address Translation (NAT) does not provide user name and password authentication. The proxy accepts authentication. Only users who have been authenticated using their user names and passwords are authorized to access the Internet in this manner.

Continue Reading...


Free Tools...