What does SNAT stand for in networking?

The term SNAT stands for Source NAT, which specifically refers to the method of network address translation where the source address of packets is altered as they leave a network. This is commonly used when a private network accesses the internet, allowing multiple devices on the internal network to share a single public IP address. By modifying the source IP address of outgoing packets, SNAT ensures that responses can be correctly routed back to the originating device within the network.

This mechanism is crucial for conserving IP addresses and facilitating communication between the internal network and external networks. SNAT also typically helps in maintaining session consistencies and is often employed in firewall and routing configurations.

The other options, while descriptive of various network concepts, do not accurately define SNAT. "System Network Address Translation" and "Static Network Address Translation" imply specific types or configurations of NAT but do not encapsulate the general functionality that SNAT represents. "Secure Network Application Translation" is not an established term in networking and thus doesn’t apply here. Thus, the definition of SNAT as Source NAT is both correct and fundamental in the context of networking practices.