Which statement about Network Address and Port Translation (NAPT) is true?

The correct statement regarding Network Address and Port Translation (NAPT) is that in No-PAT mode, the network layer protocol address can be converted. NAPT is a form of Network Address Translation (NAT) that allows multiple devices on a local network to be mapped to a single public IP address while differentiating the sessions with port numbers.

In No-PAT mode, the technology is capable of translating not just the port numbers but also the network layer addresses. This means that devices can communicate their layer-3 (IP) addresses to the external network, which can facilitate communications without necessarily having to rely solely on port translations.

For instance, in this mode, the internal device may be mapped to a specific external IP address while still maintaining its unique internal IP structure, which allows for effective routing and response from external addresses. This is a critical capability in larger networks where numerous devices share the same public-facing IP address.

Understanding the function of NAPT and the particular configurations that allow for address translation is essential in networking, especially when managing connections across multiple devices and ensuring seamless communication between devices on a private network and the wider internet.