An exemplary method for mapping a network address translator on a packet based network that is between a client and a server comprises the steps of the client communicating a first message including a first client address to the server, the server extracting the first client address, and the server communicating a confirmation to the client including identifying data useful to identify the client to the server. Additional steps comprise the client communicating a mapper message to the server including the identifying data, the mapper message having external client address data when the server receives it, and the server extracting said identifying data and using it to identify the client. An additional step of comparing the external client address data to the first client address and using said comparison to map the one or more security devices is provided.