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NETWORK IP ADDRESSING

 

A Guide to IP Addresses

What is an IP Address?

Imagine your home address, but for devices on the internet. An IP address, short for Internet Protocol address, acts like a unique online identification for your computer or any device connected to a network. It's typically written as four numbers separated by dots, like 192.168.1.101. Each number can range from 0 to 255.

Parts of an IP Address:

Think of your IP address like a two-part code:

  1. Network ID: This part identifies the specific network your device belongs to, similar to your neighborhood in a city.
  2. Host ID: This part identifies the individual device within the network, like your house number on your street.

A Note on IP Address Classes (A-E):

In the past, IP addresses were categorized into classes (A, B, C, D, and E) based on the leading octet (the first number group). These classes determined the number of networks and devices each class could accommodate. However, due to the growing number of internet users, this method is no longer widely used.

Netmasks and Subnetting:

Imagine dividing your neighborhood (network) into smaller sections (subnets) for better organization. A netmask, represented by a series of ones and zeros, helps define the network and host portions of an IP address. Subnetting further divides a network into smaller subnets, allowing for more efficient use of IP addresses.

Valid vs. Invalid IP Addresses:

Not all combinations of numbers are valid IP addresses. Here are some examples:

  • Valid: 10.1.1.1 (device within a network)
  • Invalid:
    • 10.1.0.0 (host IP cannot be 0)
    • 10.1.255.255 (host IP cannot be 255)
    • 255.255.255.255 (all 255s are not allowed for network addresses)

Combining IP Address and Netmask:

Sometimes, you might see an IP address written with a slash and a number, like 192.168.1.101/24. This combines the IP address with its netmask (in this case, 255.255.255.0).

Benefits of Subnetting:

  • Reduced traffic: Each subnet experiences less overall traffic, improving network performance.
  • Simplified management: Networks can be managed independently, making administration easier.
  • Enhanced security: Subnets can isolate internal networks from external ones, potentially improving security.

Types of Subnet Masks:

  • Default: These masks fit into the older class system categories (A, B, or C).
  • Custom: These masks are created to further divide a larger network into subnets.

When is Subnetting Needed?

Subnetting is useful when:

  • A network needs to be segmented for various technologies, like connecting different departments or remote offices.
  • Specific devices need isolation due to high bandwidth usage, preventing them from slowing down the entire network.

Supernetting (Advanced):

Supernetting is a more advanced technique used to address the limited availability of IPv4 addresses. It combines multiple, consecutive network blocks to create larger usable address spaces.

Note: This explanation aims to provide a basic understanding of IP addresses. Additional resources can offer deeper dives into specific aspects of IP addressing.

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