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NSE4 · Question #330

What are the purposes of NAT traversal in IPsec? (Choose two.)

The correct answer is A. To detect intermediary NAT devices in the tunnel path. B. To encapsulate ESP packets in UDP packets using port 4500. NAT traversal (NAT-T) in IPsec is used to detect intermediary NAT devices in the tunnel path and to encapsulate ESP packets in UDP packets using port 4500 to pass through NAT.

Submitted by yousef_jo· Apr 18, 2026VPN and Routing

Question

What are the purposes of NAT traversal in IPsec? (Choose two.)

Options

  • ATo detect intermediary NAT devices in the tunnel path.
  • BTo encapsulate ESP packets in UDP packets using port 4500.
  • CTo force a new DH exchange with each phase 2 re-key
  • DTo dynamically change phase 1 negotiation mode to Aggressive.

How the community answered

(31 responses)
  • A
    94% (29)
  • C
    3% (1)
  • D
    3% (1)

Why each option

NAT traversal (NAT-T) in IPsec is used to detect intermediary NAT devices in the tunnel path and to encapsulate ESP packets in UDP packets using port 4500 to pass through NAT.

ATo detect intermediary NAT devices in the tunnel path.Correct

NAT-T begins with an exchange of vendor IDs during IKE Phase 1 to detect if a NAT device exists between the two IPsec peers, indicating that NAT-T is required for the tunnel to function.

BTo encapsulate ESP packets in UDP packets using port 4500.Correct

When NAT is detected, IPsec NAT-T encapsulates the Encapsulating Security Payload (ESP) packets, which do not inherently support NAT, into UDP packets using port 4500. This encapsulation allows the NAT device to translate the UDP headers, enabling the IPsec tunnel to be established and maintained across NAT.

CTo force a new DH exchange with each phase 2 re-key

NAT-T does not force a new Diffie-Hellman (DH) exchange with each Phase 2 re-key; DH exchanges are typically for Phase 1 key establishment.

DTo dynamically change phase 1 negotiation mode to Aggressive.

NAT-T does not dynamically change the Phase 1 negotiation mode; it typically operates with Main Mode and adjusts how packets are encapsulated for NAT compatibility.

Concept tested: IPsec NAT traversal (NAT-T) mechanism

Source: https://docs.fortinet.com/document/fortigate/7.4.0/administration-guide/339241/vpn-across-a-nat-device

Topics

#IPsec#NAT Traversal (NAT-T)#VPN#UDP encapsulation

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