Abstract: A differentiated services code point (DSCP) field and a flags field of a data packet are utilized to route the packet in a network address translation (NAT) network. A sending device configures the DSCP field in the packet with information that may be used to identify a destination for the packet within the NAT network. The sending device also configures the flags field to indicate that the DSCP field is to be utilized to identify the destination. When a device in the NAT network receives the packet, the device examines the flag field to determine whether the DSCP field is to be utilized to identify the destination. If the flag indicates that the DSCP field is to be utilized to identify the destination, the DSCP field is utilized to locate the destination network address for the packet. The packet is then transmitted to the identified destination network address.