Could you elaborate on the expected format of a subnet mask, specifically highlighting its key characteristics? I'm curious to understand the structure and purpose of this network parameter in the context of IP addressing. How many octets does it typically comprise? And how does it influence the division of an IP address into network and host portions? Additionally, could you provide an example of a valid subnet mask and explain how it is determined? Understanding this fundamental aspect of networking is crucial for my current project, so a detailed and concise explanation would be greatly appreciated.
5 answers
Valentina
Sat Jun 22 2024
Class C networks have a default subnet mask of 255.255.255.0, reserving the first three octets for the network address and limiting the number of hosts within each subnet.
Silvia
Sat Jun 22 2024
Subnet masking is a fundamental concept in networking that allows for the division of larger networks into smaller subnets.
DigitalDuke
Sat Jun 22 2024
Default subnet masks are predefined for different classes of networks, including Class A, B, C, and D.
CryptoNinja
Sat Jun 22 2024
For Class A networks, the default subnet mask is 255.0.0.0. This mask reserves the first octet for the network address and allows for a large number of host addresses.
CryptoMercenary
Sat Jun 22 2024
For Class B networks, the default subnet mask is 255.255.0.0. Here, the first two octets are reserved for the network address, providing a moderate number of host addresses.