What is Cloud NAT?

Cloud NAT (Network Address Translation) is a managed service that allows Virtual Machines (VMs) without external IP addresses to send outbound traffic to the internet while preventing the internet from initiating inbound connections to those VMs. It enables private VMs to access the internet for updates, patching, and service access without exposing them directly to the internet, enhancing security and simplifying network management. It is commonly used in cloud environments to provide internet access to VMs in private subnets.