# NAT Traversal
> Techniques enabling VoIP traffic to pass through Network Address Translation devices

NAT traversal allows VoIP signaling and media to work correctly behind NAT routers.

## What is NAT traversal?
Network Address Translation (NAT) maps private IP addresses to public ones, allowing multiple devices to share a single public IP. While useful for IPv4 conservation, NAT breaks VoIP because SIP messages embed IP addresses that NAT devices don't automatically rewrite.

## Traversal solutions
[STUN](/voip-glossary/stun/) helps endpoints discover their public IP. TURN relays media when direct connectivity fails. ICE (Interactive Connectivity Establishment) combines both approaches. [SBCs](/voip-glossary/sbc/) handle NAT traversal at the network edge for enterprise deployments.

## Related Terms
- [STUN](/voip-glossary/stun/)
- [Firewall Traversal](/voip-glossary/firewall-traversal/)
- [SBC](/voip-glossary/sbc/)