Which statement best defines port forwarding?

Port forwarding is a networking technique that allows specific external devices or users to access services hosted on internal devices within a private network. This process works by configuring the router or firewall to listen for incoming requests on a particular port and then translating that request to the appropriate internal IP address and port that hosts the service.

In this context, the statement that port forwarding "allows specific external access to internal devices" accurately captures its primary function. For example, if you have a web server running on a designated port on an internal machine, port forwarding makes it possible for users outside the local network to access that web server by directing any requests on the external IP address to the appropriate internal IP address.

Other options may reflect related concepts within networking. Enhancing security could be a goal in some contexts, but port forwarding itself primarily opens access rather than secures it. Routing internal traffic more efficiently pertains more to internal routing protocols, and automating IP address assignments relates to DHCP rather than port forwarding. The essence of port forwarding is its role in enabling external access rather than optimizing or securing traffic management within the network.