Networking / Security · Risk: High · Documentation Verified
Last verified: 2026-10-26
Microsoft NetNat reference: Adds an external address to a NAT instance. The syntax and selected example below are adapted from the pinned Windows Server 2025 reference. Module availability, target configuration and delegated permissions determine whether it can run in your environment. Documentation and parameter text: Microsoft, CC BY 4.0; formatting adapted by Cmdlet World. No execution testing is claimed.
Use an account with the target resource permissions documented for Add-NetNatExternalAddress. Modifying administrative cmdlets may require elevation or delegated administration. This catalog does not assert that ordinary users can execute the command.
Supported environments
Windows / NetNat · Windows Server 2025 documentation; feature/module prerequisites apply
Parameters
-AsJob
Runs the cmdlet as a background job. Use this parameter to run commands that take a long time to complete. The cmdlet immediately returns an object that represents the job and then displays the command prompt. You can continue to work in the session while the job completes. To manage the job, use the *-Job cmdlets. To get the job results, use the Receive-Job cmdlet. For more information about Windows PowerShell background jobs, see about_Jobs.
-CimSession
Runs the cmdlet in a remote session or on a remote computer. Enter a computer name or a session object, such as the output of a New-CimSession or Get-CimSession cmdlet. The default is the current session on the local computer.
-Confirm
Prompts you for confirmation before running the cmdlet.
-IPAddress (required)
Specifies an external IP address for a NAT, as a string.
-NatName (required)
Specifies the name for the NAT instance, as a string.
-PortEnd
Specifies the high end of a dynamic port range from which to pick a port for a NAT session. Choose a port number that is greater than the *PortStart* parameter from the available ports. NAT associates a port number with an external address to identify the mapping between an internal network and an external network.
-PortStart
Specifies the low end of a dynamic port range from which to pick a port for a NAT session. Choose a port number that is less than the *PortEnd* parameter from the available ports. NAT associates a port number with an external address to identify the mapping between an internal network and an external network.
-ThrottleLimit
Specifies the maximum number of concurrent operations that can be established to run the cmdlet. If this parameter is omitted or a value of 0 is entered, then Windows PowerShell® calculates an optimum throttle limit for the cmdlet based on the number of CIM cmdlets that are running on the computer. The throttle limit applies only to the current cmdlet, not to the session or to the computer.
-WhatIf
Shows what would happen if the cmdlet runs. The cmdlet is not run.
Prerequisites
Windows with the NetNat module and the Windows feature or management tools that provide it. Confirm target connectivity and version compatibility using the linked Microsoft reference.
Security considerations
This cmdlet changes system state. Review every target and parameter in the official reference, test outside production, and prepare an appropriate backup or rollback. Do not execute the example automatically.
Examples
Example 1: Add an external address
Add-NetNatExternalAddress -IPAddress "a.b.c.0/24"
This command adds the external address 10.20.30.120 to a NAT. This example uses the placeholder a.b.c.0/24 to represent a public Internet address prefix. Source: Microsoft, CC BY 4.0; transcript prompt/output removed. This example was not executed.