Wireshark Lab: NAT Protocol Analysis using Packet Captures v7.0

This assignment provides a detailed analysis of the Network Address Translation (NAT) protocol using Wireshark. It investigates packet behavior as it traverses between a Local Area Network (LAN) and a Wide Area Network (WAN), focusing on a web request from a client PC to a Google server. The analysis includes examining IP addresses, port numbers, and header checksums at various stages of the communication, both on the inside (LAN) and outside (WAN) of the NAT device. The assignment covers key aspects such as the translation of IP addresses, the role of port numbers in directing packets, and the changes observed in packet headers during the NAT process. It also discusses the security benefits of NAT by hiding internal IP addresses from the external network. The analysis uses Wireshark traces to answer specific questions about the NAT process, including identifying IP addresses, port numbers, and the timing of SYN, ACK, and HTTP messages. The conclusion summarizes the findings and emphasizes the role of NAT in IP address preservation and network security.