


The computers behind the router, on the other hand, are invisible to hosts on the Internet as they each communicate only with a private IP address. The NAT device's external interface is configured with a public IP address. Hosts on the private network are connected to an Ethernet switch or communicate via a wireless LAN. In a typical residential network, nodes obtain Internet access through a DSL or cable modem connected to a router or network address translator (NAT/NAPT). Port forwarding allows remote computers (for example, computers on the Internet) to connect to a specific computer or service within a private local-area network (LAN).
