Author: Asad Ijaz

NetworkUstad's lead networking architect with CCIE certification. Specializes in CCNA exam preparation and enterprise network design. Authored 2,800+ technical guides on Cisco systems, BGP routing, and network security protocols since 2018. Picture this: I'm not just someone who writes about tech; I'm a certified expert in the field. I proudly hold the titles of Cisco Certified Network Professional (CCNP) and Cisco Certified Network Associate (CCNA). So, when I talk about networking, I'm not just whistling in the dark; I know my stuff! My website is like a treasure trove of knowledge. You'll find a plethora of articles and tutorials covering a wide range of topics related to networking and cybersecurity. It's not just a website; it's a learning hub for anyone who's eager to dive into the world of bits, bytes, and secure connections. And here's a fun fact: I'm not a lone wolf in this journey. I'm a proud member and Editor of Team NetworkUstad. Together, we're on a mission to empower people with the knowledge they need to navigate the digital landscape safely and effectively. So, if you're ready to embark on a tech-savvy adventure, stick around with me, Asad Ijaz Khattak. We're going to unravel the mysteries of technology, one article at a time!"
Diagram of CCNA network redundancy topology with dual uplinks from access to distribution switches, showing STP-enabled redundant paths and potential loop risks before protocol activation.
CCNA October 16, 2019

Network Redundancy Revolutionized: Achieve 99.999% Uptime

Network redundancy ensures high availability and reliability in modern networks by providing alternate paths for data transmission, allowing seamless failover if a link or device fails. In CCNA/CCNP contexts, it shares traffic loads, boosts capacity, and employs protocols like Spanning Tree Protocol (STP) for Layer 2 loop prevention, or First Hop Redundancy Protocols (FHRP) like […]
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CCNA October 15, 2019

IPv6 NAT Guide: NAT64 Config, ULA & Transitions

As IPv4 address exhaustion pushed NAT into every network, IPv6 flips the script with 128-bit addresses (3.4 × 10^38 possibilities). But during transitions, NAT evolves. This guide covers Unique Local Addresses (ULA) as IPv6’s ‘private’ space and translation tools like NAT64 — essential for CCNA 200-301 IPv6 topics. NAT’s ‘security’ myth? Busted—it’s not a firewall […]
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Diagram illustrating port forwarding with traffic from public IP to private web server through a router, showing port numbers and NAT configuration pathways.
CCNA October 13, 2019

Introduction to Port Forwarding including Its Configuration – Exclusive Explanation (Updated 2025)

Port forwarding is a critical networking technique that allows external devices to access services on a private network by directing traffic from a public IP address and port to a specific internal IP and port. For CCNA and CCNP students, understanding port forwarding is essential for configuring routers, securing networks, and enabling services like web […]
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CCNA October 13, 2019

How to Configure Port Address Translation (PAT)

Port Address Translation (PAT), also known as NAT overload, is a cornerstone of IP connectivity for CCNA students and essential for conserving IPv4 addresses in real-world deployments. In the CCNA 200-301 exam (IP Services domain), you’ll configure PAT to map multiple private inside local addresses (e.g., 192.168.x.x) to a single public inside global address, enabling […]
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Cisco router R1 performing dynamic NAT translation between public internet and private LAN 192.168.0.0/16 using inside global IPv4 pool 202.128.54.0/28
CCNA October 12, 2019

How to Configure Dynamic NAT (Updated 2025)

Dynamic Network Address Translation (NAT) is a cornerstone of modern networking, allowing multiple private IP devices to share a limited pool of public IPs for internet access. Unlike static NAT, dynamic NAT automatically maps inside local addresses to a pool of inside global addresses on a first-come, first-served basis—ideal for scenarios with more internal hosts […]
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CCNA October 11, 2019

Master how to configure Static NAT on Cisco Routers? (Updated 2025)

Static NAT maps inside and outside addresses one-to-one. It allows external devices to establish a session with internal devices using the statically assigned public address. For example, an internal web server is mapped to a specific inside global address. The figure below illustrates an inside network containing a web server with a private IPv4 address […]
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NAT Advantages and disadvantages
CCNA October 10, 2019

NAT Advantages and Disadvantages (Updated 2025

Network Address Translation (NAT) is a crucial topic in Cisco’s CCNA and CCNP curricula. It helps conserve IPv4 addresses and enhances security in enterprise networks. In this article, we’ll explore the pros and cons of NAT, with practical examples and tips for your certification exams. Network Address Translation (NAT) is a method used in IP […]
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"Network diagram showing NAT translation with router R1 converting inside local IPs to global IPs for accessing external servers like Wordpress.org
CCNA October 10, 2019

What are the types of NAT translation? Exclusive Guide (Updated 2025)

There are three main types of NAT translation: static NAT, dynamic NAT, and port address translation (PAT). This guide is tailored for CCNA (200-301) and CCNP (ENCOR & ENARSI) students, with full Cisco IOS configurations, packet walk-throughs, verification commands, and troubleshooting tips. Static NAT Static NAT translation is also known as one-to-one NAT. Static NAT […]
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NAT terminology diagram showing inside local 192.168.1.100 translated to inside global 172.35.10.2 with outside local 20.41.5.19 and outside global 209.165.201.1
CCNA October 9, 2019

NAT Terminology Explained: CCNA 200-301 Must-Know Address Types

As discussed before, NAT translates private IP addresses into public IP addresses. So in the process of translation, there are different operations involved, and understanding each of them requires understanding NAT terminology. Therefore, before understanding NAT in detail, it is important to understand basic NAT terminology. In NAT terminology, the inside network is the set […]
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