Which component specifically handles the conversion of private IP addresses to public IP addresses for internet access?

The component that specifically handles the conversion of private IP addresses to public IP addresses for internet access is a NAT (Network Address Translation) gateway. This function is essential because private IP addresses are not routable on the public internet. The NAT gateway translates the internal private IP addresses to a single public IP address or a pool of public IP addresses. When devices within a private network attempt to access the internet, the NAT gateway modifies the source IP address in the data packets, replacing the private IP with the appropriate public IP address. It keeps track of active connections, ensuring that return traffic is directed back to the correct internal IP address.

This process is critical for maintaining security and conservatively using the available public IP addresses. By allowing multiple devices on a local network to share a single public IP address, a NAT gateway expands the number of devices that can access the internet while ensuring that internal network structures remain secure and private.