What functionality does Port Forwarding provide in a network?

Port forwarding is a networking technique that enables external devices to communicate with services on a private network. This functionality is crucial for accessing devices, such as cameras located on a private local area network (LAN), from the internet. When port forwarding is configured, incoming traffic that is addressed to a specific port on the public IP address is redirected to a designated internal IP address and port number. This allows external users to access the camera service without directly exposing the entire network to potential security risks.

In the context of the other options, while they cover different aspects of networking, they do not accurately describe the primary function of port forwarding. Connecting two different networks describes routing or bridging functions, encryption pertains to secure communication protocols, and managing IP address distribution relates to DHCP (Dynamic Host Configuration Protocol) services. Each of these concepts plays a role in networking but does not encapsulate the specific role of port forwarding in granting access to private devices over the internet.