How to apply NAT to a Network Group

[TSOL]

Hello Team,

We are planning to test a NAT configuration on R81.20.

If I set a Network Group as the source, the following error is displayed.

"The Network group is only valid if the value of the matching translated colum is 'Original' or if the translated source is 'HOST' /Address Range and the Method is Hide."

I want to configure NAT for a Network Group. In this case, do I need to set up Hide NAT for each individual object separately?

Thank you for all the advice.

[emmap]

The network group is the Original Source? What did you set the Translated Source to? 

[TSOL]

Dear emmap

Thank you for the reply.

Yes,  I want to set the Network Group as the Original Source and translate it to the IP address of the Out-side interface as the post-NAT IP address.

[emmap]

I believe that should work as long as you set the translated side to Hide NAT.

[TSOL]

I mistakenly thought that I needed to add Hide NAT to the Network Group in the Original Source.

It turns out that I need to configure NAT for the object in the Translated Source instead.

Thanks!

[AkosBakos]

Hi @TSOL 

What I told about NAT that is an easy way. If you want to do manual NAT instead, feel free, and do it, the two solution is fully equivalent.

Akos

[AkosBakos · Accepted solution]

Hi @TSOL 

The easiest way to set up a NAT on a specific network, if you set it on the object itself:

Here:

I hope it helps 🙂

Á

[TSOL]

Thank you for the reply.

Does the response differ from the behavior when configuring NAT for the Translated Source?

[AkosBakos]

Hi @TSOL 

From the NAT point of view, this will act as a manual hide NAT. 

As you configure on the network object, you will see it in the NAT table, but you can edit the rule by editing the host object.

Akos 

[PhoneBoy]

The below answer came from our AI Copilot.
This is applicable if you want to use a manual NAT rule (versus using automatic NAT rules in the object):

The error you're encountering is expected when using static NAT, which translates only one address. To configure NAT for a Network Group, you should use the Hide NAT method. Here's how you can do it:

Steps to Configure Hide NAT for a Network Group

1. Open SmartConsole and navigate to the NAT policy.
2. Right-click on the translated source object in the NAT policy.
3. Select NAT Method > Hide.
4. Install the policy.

Important Considerations

• Hide NAT allows multiple internal IP addresses to be translated to a single external IP address.
• Be cautious when using Hide NAT for a large number of hosts, as it can lead to NAT Port Exhaustion. This happens when the number of connections exceeds the available NAT ports (50,000 ports per NAT pool).

Example Configuration

1. Create a Network Group that includes all the networks or hosts you want to translate.
2. Set the Network Group as the original source in the NAT rule.
3. Set the translated source to a single IP address or an address range.
4. Ensure the NAT method is set to Hide.

Example NAT Rule

No	Original Source	Original Destination	Original Service	Translated Source	Translated Destination	Translated Service	Install On
1	Network Group	Any	Any	Single IP/Range	Original	Original	All

By following these steps, you can configure Hide NAT for a Network Group without setting up Hide NAT for each individual object separately. If you encounter any issues or need further assistance, feel free to ask!

Learn more:

1. sk176846 - "You cannot use the Network Group <Group Name> as the Original source" validation e...
2. sk179977 - CME error - The network group cannot be deleted because it is referenced by other objects...
3. sk179917 - "Failed to delete object - (2) Topology: specific network must be defined" error when del...