A NAT Rule is an instruction that dictates a specific IP mapping. A DNAT rule translates an external IP address to an internal IP address for inbound traffic. An SNAT rule translates an internal IP address to an external IP address for outbound traffic.

NAT rules can be configured for vDC networks and vApp networks.

For vApp networks, NAT can be configured to provide IP Translation (detailed above) or Port Forwarding (i.e., Port Mapping).

Port Forwarding provides external access to services running on VMs on the vApp network by directing inbound traffic from an external port to an internal VM port.