When we express an IPv4 network address, we add a prefix length to the network address. The prefix length is the number of bits in the address that gives us the network portion. For example, in 172.16.4.0 /24, the /24 is the prefix length - it tells us that the first 24 bits are the network address. This leaves the remaining 8 bits, the last octet, as the host portion.
In IPv4, there are a total of 32 bits in an IP address. The number of network and host bits varies depending on the subnet mask used. Typically, the first part of the bits represents the network portion, while the remaining bits represent the host portion. For example, in a common subnet mask of 255.255.255.0 (or /24), there are 24 bits for the network and 8 bits for hosts.
In a class A network, the first 8 bits specify the network, the remaining 24 bits specify the host.
In a subnet mask, the bits that are set to '1' represent the network portion of the IP address, while the bits set to '0' represent the host portion. For example, in the subnet mask 255.255.255.0 (or /24), the first 24 bits are '1's, indicating that these bits are used to identify the network. Consequently, the remaining 8 bits, which are '0's, can be used for hosts within that network.
Since a subnet mask is used to separate the network id from the host id, any 1 bits indicate the network portion and the 0 bits indicate host portion. As an example, in the subnet mask: 255.255.0.0 This indicates the first two octets are used for the network, and the last two octets (ipV4) are used for host portion of an address.
The number of bits assigned to the host in an IP address determines the maximum number of devices that can be connected to a particular network. Specifically, it defines the size of the host portion of the address, which dictates how many unique addresses are available for devices within that network. The more bits allocated to the host, the larger the potential number of devices, but this reduces the number of bits available for network identification. Conversely, fewer host bits allow for more networks but limit the number of devices per network.
In an IP address, the network portion identifies the specific network to which a device belongs, while the host portion identifies the individual device within that network. This structure allows for efficient routing of data across the internet by segregating the address into parts that signify the network and the specific device. The division between the network and host portions is determined by the subnet mask, which specifies how many bits are allocated to each portion. For example, in the IP address 192.168.1.10 with a subnet mask of 255.255.255.0, "192.168.1" represents the network portion, and "10" represents the host portion.
A network with 6 bits remaining for the host portion can accommodate (2^6 = 64) total addresses. However, two addresses are reserved: one for the network address and one for the broadcast address. Therefore, the number of usable hosts in this network will be (64 - 2 = 62).
The subnet mask for a /26 subnet indicates that the first 26 bits are used for the network portion, leaving 6 bits for the host portion. In this case, the subnet 172.168.2.0/26 can accommodate 2^6 = 64 addresses, but only 62 are usable for hosts (subtracting the network and broadcast addresses). Thus, there are 26 bits designated for the network and 6 bits for hosts within this subnet.
Network Portion Host Portion
The number of bits used to identify the hosts is fixed by the class of the network. Up to 24 bits can make up the host portion of a Class C address.
To determine the number of bits in the subnetted ID of 185.27.54.0, you need to know the subnet mask used. However, if it’s a standard Class B address (which uses a default mask of 255.255.0.0), it has 16 bits for the network portion. If the address is subnetted further, additional bits are borrowed from the host portion, increasing the network bit count. For example, if a subnet mask of 255.255.255.0 is used, then there would be 24 bits in the subnetted ID.
Yes - the first bits specify the network, the remaining bits, a host within a network. There is no fixed number of bits for the network; this may vary.Yes - the first bits specify the network, the remaining bits, a host within a network. There is no fixed number of bits for the network; this may vary.Yes - the first bits specify the network, the remaining bits, a host within a network. There is no fixed number of bits for the network; this may vary.Yes - the first bits specify the network, the remaining bits, a host within a network. There is no fixed number of bits for the network; this may vary.