BENGAL COLLEGE OF ENGINEERING AND TECHNOLOGY
A REPORT ON
Basics of IP Addresses and Subnets.
Submitted by
NIRAJ KUMAR
University roll no.: 12500221073
College roll No.:214078299
Subject:Computer Networking (CN)
Dept. Of Information Technology 3rd Year
Under the guidance of
Mr. Amit Jha Sir
( IT Department)
ACKNOWLEGMENT
On the very outset of this report, I would like to extend my
sincere & heartfelt obligation towards all the personages who
have helped me in this endeavour. Without their active
guidance, help, cooperation, I would not have made headway
in the project.I am ineffably indebted to ma’am for
conscientious guidance and encouragement to accomplishment
this report I am extremely thankful and pay my gratitude to my
faculty Mr. Amit Jha for his valuable guidance and support
on completion of this report writing in its presently.
TABLE OF CONTENT
ABSTRACT
INTRODUCTION
METHODOLOGY
DISCUSSION
CONCLUSION
BIBLIOGRAPHY
ABSTRACT
This report provides a comprehensive overview of the fundamental
concepts associated with IP addresses and subnets. Understanding these
basics is crucial for anyone involved in networking, as they form the
foundation of communication in the digital world.
The report covers the definition of IP addresses, the structure of IPv4 and
IPv6 addresses, subnetting, and its importance in efficient network
management
INTRODUCTION
An IP address is like a phone number for a device on a network. Just like how
you need a phone number to call someone, devices on a network need an IP
address to communicate with each other. An IP address is a series of
numbers separated by periods. For example, an IP address might look like
this: 192.168.1.1.
Now, when a network has a lot of devices on it, it can be hard to keep track
of them all. That's where subnetting comes in. Subnetting is like dividing a
big neighborhood into smaller neighborhoods. It makes it easier to keep
track of things.
IP addressing is a fundamental concept in networking that is essential for
effective network management. It provides a unique identifier for devices on
a network, allowing them to communicate with each other. In this blog post,
we will introduce the basics of IP addressing and subnetting, and explain why
they are important for network administrators and IT professionals.
METHODOLOGY
What do the different parts of an IP address mean?
This section focuses on IPv4 addresses, which are presented in the form of
four decimal numbers separated by periods, like 203.0.113.112. (IPv6
addresses are longer and use letters as well as numbers.)
Every IP address has two parts. The first part indicates which network the
address belongs to. The second part specifies the device within that
network. However, the length of the "first part" changes depending on the
network's class.
Networks are categorized into different classes, labeled A through E. Class
A networks can connect millions of devices. Class B networks and Class C
networks are progressively smaller in size. (Class D and Class E networks
are not commonly used.)
Let's break down how these classes affect IP address construction:
Class A network: Everything before the first period indicates the network,
and everything after it specifies the device within that network. Using
203.0.113.112 as an example, the network is indicated by "203" and the
device by "0.113.112."
Class B network: Everything before the second period indicates the
network. Again using 203.0.113.112 as an example, "203.0" indicates the
network and "113.112" indicates the device within that network.
Class C network: For Class C networks, everything before the third period
indicates the network. Using the same example, "203.0.113" indicates the
Class C network, and "112" indicates the device.
Why is subnetting necessary?
As the previous example illustrates, the way IP addresses are constructed
makes it relatively simple for Internet routers to find the right network to
route data into.
However, in a Class A network (for instance), there could be millions of
connected devices, and it could take some time for the data to find the right
device. This is why subnetting comes in handy: subnetting narrows down
the IP address to usage within a range of devices.
Because an IP address is limited to indicating the network and the device
address, IP addresses cannot be used to indicate which subnet an IP packet
should go to. Routers within a network use something called a subnet mask
to sort data into subnetworks.
DISCUSSION
IP Address Basics:
An IP address consists of two main components: a network portion and a
host portion. In IPv4, addresses are typically represented as four octets
separated by dots (e.g., 192.168.1.1), while IPv6 uses hexadecimal notation
for a longer address format. The distinction between IPv4 and IPv6 is
essential due to the exhaustion of IPv4 addresses and the global adoption of
IPv6.
3. IPv4 Address Structure:
IPv4 addresses are 32-bit numerical labels divided into four octets. Each
octet is represented in decimal format, and the values range from 0 to 255.
The format follows the A, B, C, D classes, each with its own range of
assignable addresses.
4. IPv6 Address Structure:
IPv6 addresses are 128-bit alphanumeric strings divided into eight groups of
four hexadecimal digits. This longer address format allows for a vastly
increased number of unique addresses, overcoming the limitations of IPv4.
IPv6 addresses are essential for the continued growth of the Internet.
5. Subnetting:
Subnetting is the process of dividing an IP network into sub-networks to
improve performance, security, and management. Subnetting involves
borrowing bits from the host portion of an IP address to create sub-
networks. It allows network administrators to allocate addresses efficiently
and control traffic within their networks.
6. Importance of Subnetting:
Subnetting offers several advantages, including efficient address allocation,
improved network performance, enhanced security through isolation, and
simplified network management.
CONCULSION
In conclusion, a solid understanding of IP addresses and subnets is
fundamental for anyone involved in networking. IPv4 and IPv6 address
structures, along with subnetting principles, play a crucial role in designing,
implementing, and managing modern computer networks.
As the Internet continues to grow, these concepts will remain integral to the
efficient functioning of digital communication systems. Regular updates and
adaptation to emerging technologies are essential for staying current in this
dynamic field.
BIBLIOGRAPHY
CLASS NOTES
WEBSITE
Two popular references on TCP/IP are:
"TCP/IP Illustrated, Volume 1: The Protocols," Richard Stevens,
Addison Wesley, 1994
"Internetworking with TCP/IP, Volume 1: Principles, Protocols,
and Architecture," Douglas E. Comer, Prentice Hall, 1995
