5 Best-Selling NAT Books Millions Trust

Discover NAT books authored by leading experts like Gregor N. Purdy and Mr Stuart D Fordham, trusted for best-selling insights

Updated on June 28, 2025
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There's something special about books that both critics and crowds love, especially in technical fields like NAT. NAT (Network Address Translation) remains a crucial technology as networks grow more complex and security demands rise. Millions rely on NAT daily to connect devices and manage IP addresses effectively, making authoritative books on the topic invaluable for professionals and enthusiasts alike.

These five books stand out for their clear focus on NAT and related technologies, written by experts deeply embedded in networking and software development. Gregor N. Purdy's concise Linux iptables guide, Stuart Fordham's detailed Cisco VPN and NAT manual, and Waldemar Quevedo's practical exploration of NATS messaging reflect the depth and practical orientation these authors bring. Their combined expertise has shaped how many understand and implement NAT in diverse environments.

While these popular books provide proven frameworks, readers seeking content tailored to their specific NAT needs might consider creating a personalized NAT book that combines these validated approaches. Tailored content can zero in on your experience level and key interests, complementing the insights found in these established works.

Best for Cisco network engineers mastering NAT
Stuart Fordham is a CCIE Certified Network Engineer with extensive expertise in Cisco networking technologies. His proven track record in the field inspired this guide, which walks you through the creation of advanced VPN and NAT configurations. Drawing on real-world experience, Fordham equips you with the know-how to build scalable, secure networks using Cisco protocols and IPv6 transition methods, making this an essential resource for networking professionals seeking depth and clarity in these complex topics.
2015·258 pages·Cisco, NAT, Networking, VPNs, NAT Configuration

What happens when deep Cisco networking expertise meets the complexities of VPNs and NAT? Stuart Fordham, a CCIE Certified Network Engineer, draws on his extensive experience to guide you through building networks from scratch, starting with GRE tunnels and advancing to phase 3 DMVPN solutions for IPv4 and IPv6. You’ll learn how to implement routing protocols like EIGRP, OSPF, and BGP to create scalable and secure environments, while also exploring IPv6 transition mechanisms and NAT for IPv6. If you’re aiming to master Cisco’s tunneling and NAT concepts with practical network-building skills, this book offers a focused, technical approach tailored for serious networking professionals.

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Best for Linux sysadmins managing NAT
Gregor N. Purdy is a consultant, author, and trainer specializing in large-scale decision support system design. His extensive experience with Perl modules and system management informs this focused pocket reference on Linux iptables. Purdy’s expertise in developing and managing complex systems brings clear, practical insight to firewall, NAT, and network accounting tasks, making this book a trusted tool for professionals navigating Linux network security.
2004·96 pages·NAT, Iptables, Networking, Firewalls, Network Security

What makes this pocket reference repeatedly recommended is its clear focus on Linux's powerful Netfilter system, particularly the iptables command interface. Gregor N. Purdy, with his extensive background in system design and programming, distills complex firewall, NAT, and accounting configurations into a concise, accessible guide. You'll find practical details on stateful filtering, handling ICMP traffic, and managing large sets of filtering rules, all arranged alphabetically for quick lookup. Whether you're opening or closing ports under pressure or want to track traffic types, this book equips you with the precise syntax and options to secure your Linux network effectively. It's best suited for network administrators and developers who need a reliable, on-the-go technical reference.

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Best for custom NAT configurations
This AI-created book on NAT configuration is crafted based on your unique networking background and goals. You share the specific NAT concepts and setups you're interested in, along with your current skill level. The book then focuses solely on what matters most to you, blending popular knowledge with your individual needs. Customization ensures you learn efficiently by concentrating on the NAT topics that will benefit your work or studies.
2025·50-300 pages·NAT, Network Address Translation, NAT Types, NAT Configuration, NAT Traversal

This personalized NAT book explores advanced concepts and configurations tailored to your technical background and goals. It reveals how Network Address Translation functions within complex networks, covering key techniques such as static, dynamic, and PAT configurations. The book focuses on your interests, examining practical applications and challenges including NAT traversal, security implications, and integration with VPNs and firewalls. By matching your experience level and preferred topics, it offers a focused deep dive into NAT that complements well-known industry resources. With tailored insights, you gain not only foundational knowledge but also nuanced understanding suited to your networking environment and objectives.

Tailored Guide
NAT Configuration Expertise
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Best for software engineers using NATS messaging
Waldemar Quevedo is a Senior Software Engineer at Apcera and an active member of the NATS team, bringing firsthand expertise from operating NATS within major cloud infrastructure projects. His experience at Rakuten and presentations at industry conferences like StrangeLoop and GopherCon underscore his deep understanding, which informs this book. Quevedo wrote this guide to help developers harness NATS’ simplicity and performance for building scalable, cloud native applications, making complex messaging concepts accessible and actionable.
Practical NATS: From Beginner to Pro book cover

by Waldemar Quevedo··You?

2018·278 pages·NAT, Networking, Software Development, NATS, Microservices

Waldemar Quevedo brings his hands-on experience as a Senior Software Engineer deeply involved with the NATS project to this book, guiding you from the basics to advanced usage. You’ll learn how NATS fits naturally into cloud native and microservices architectures, mastering its protocol, client internals, and server configuration. The book shines when showing how to build production-ready applications, including tricky implementations like failure detection and request tracing. If you’re moving from REST APIs to messaging or tackling service discovery and load balancing challenges, this book offers concrete insights without fluff.

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Best for advanced NAT traversal researchers
ShengQuan Tsai’s book offers a rare and focused examination of NAT traversal challenges, specifically targeting symmetric NATs with random port assignments. While many resources address the prevalent cone NAT types, this study zeroes in on scenarios where traditional traversal techniques like STUN fall short and TURN incurs heavy relay burdens. Tsai explores a direct traversal method that predicts outgoing port numbers, aiming to bypass relay servers and improve peer-to-peer connectivity. This work is valuable for network professionals tackling complex NAT environments and seeking practical insights into overcoming the nuances of random port assignments in symmetric NATs.
2010·76 pages·NAT, Networking, P2P Traversal, Symmetric NAT, Port Assignment

What if everything you knew about NAT traversal was incomplete? ShengQuan Tsai tackles a niche but critical challenge: peer-to-peer traversal through symmetric NATs with random port assignment. Unlike most NAT studies that focus on the more common cone NAT types, this book dives into the complexities of symmetric NATs that assign outgoing ports randomly, a scenario where traditional STUN methods fail and TURN relays become costly. You’ll learn about the limitations of existing traversal techniques and Tsai’s approach to directly bypass relay servers by predicting port assignments. This is a focused read for network engineers and developers working on advanced NAT traversal problems, especially those building P2P applications in constrained environments.

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Best for P2P developers resolving NAT issues
What makes this book stand out in the NAT field is its detailed empirical focus on peer-to-peer NAT challenges using both IPv4 and IPv6 protocols. It highlights the ongoing importance of NAT despite IPv6 adoption, particularly through the practical discussion of Hole Punching techniques and the introduction of NAT-PT for protocol translation. This work addresses real bottlenecks in peer networking, such as network overhead and packet discarding related to port usage, making it highly relevant for professionals seeking to improve peer connectivity and protocol translation methods in modern networks.
2011·140 pages·NAT, IPv4, Networking, IPv6, PeerToPeer

The breakthrough moment came when Mohammad Sadeghpour Nazari closely examined the persistent issues of Peer-to-Peer NAT using IPv4 and IPv6. This book unpacks how NAT, despite IPv6's introduction, remains vital for many users, especially addressing problems like network overhead and packet loss related to TCP and UDP port management. You’ll get a clear explanation of Hole Punching techniques and the necessity of NAT-PT for IPv4 to IPv6 translation, enabling smoother peer connections in private networks. If your work involves networking protocols or you’re tackling P2P connectivity challenges, this focused analysis will sharpen your understanding and practical approach.

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Best for focused skill building
This AI-created book on NAT training is crafted based on your experience and learning goals. You share your current understanding, preferred NAT topics, and objectives, and the book is tailored to focus on what you need most. This personalized approach means you get a clear, efficient path to mastering NAT without spending time on unrelated material. It’s designed to help you build skills quickly and confidently by concentrating on your priorities.
2025·50-300 pages·NAT, Network Address Translation, NAT Configuration, IP Addressing, NAT Troubleshooting

This tailored NAT training book offers a focused, step-by-step pathway designed to accelerate your mastery of Network Address Translation. It explores core NAT principles and gradually advances through practical applications, matching your background and specific goals to ensure effective learning. By blending widely validated knowledge with your unique interests, this book reveals key NAT concepts, configuration techniques, and troubleshooting tips that matter most to you. The personalized approach sharpens your skills rapidly, concentrating on areas that boost your proficiency efficiently. Whether you're deepening your networking expertise or seeking targeted NAT problem-solving, this book provides a clear, engaging learning experience crafted around your needs.

Tailored Guide
NAT Skill Acceleration
1,000+ Happy Readers

Proven NAT Strategies, Personalized for You

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NAT Mastery Blueprint
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Conclusion

These five books collectively highlight proven frameworks and widespread validation in the NAT field. If you prefer practical, system-level configuration, start with Gregor N. Purdy's Linux iptables Pocket Reference. For Cisco-centric VPN and NAT solutions, Stuart Fordham's guide is an excellent choice. Developers focusing on messaging and microservices will find Waldemar Quevedo's Practical NATS particularly valuable.

For tackling advanced NAT traversal challenges, ShengQuan Tsai's study offers unique insights, while Mohammad Sadeghpour Nazari's empirical investigation sharpens understanding of peer-to-peer NAT connectivity. Combining these readings provides a broad yet detailed foundation for NAT mastery.

Alternatively, you can create a personalized NAT book to blend proven methods with your unique needs. These widely-adopted approaches have helped many readers succeed in managing complex NAT environments effectively.

Frequently Asked Questions

I'm overwhelmed by choice – which book should I start with?

If you're focused on Linux firewall and NAT, start with "Linux iptables Pocket Reference." For Cisco network professionals, "VPNs and NAT for Cisco Networks" provides targeted guidance. Developers interested in messaging should try "Practical NATS." Choose based on your immediate needs and expertise level.

Are these books too advanced for someone new to NAT?

Some books like "Practical NATS" and Purdy's iptables reference are accessible to beginners, while others such as Tsai's study dive into advanced NAT traversal topics. Picking a book that matches your experience will help you learn effectively.

What's the best order to read these books?

Start with broad foundational texts like Purdy's or Fordham's before moving to specialized works like Tsai's on symmetric NAT traversal. This approach builds your understanding progressively.

Do I really need to read all of these, or can I just pick one?

You can pick the book most relevant to your role or project. Each offers distinct perspectives: system configuration, Cisco-specific NAT, messaging with NATS, or advanced traversal techniques.

Are these books outdated given how fast NAT changes?

While networking evolves, core NAT concepts remain stable. These books cover foundational principles and proven strategies that continue to be relevant despite ongoing technological changes.

Can I get a NAT book tailored to my specific needs?

Yes! While these expert books provide solid foundations, you can create a personalized NAT book tailored to your background, skill level, and goals to efficiently address your unique challenges.

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