What is the subnet mask used for?
It determines which part of the IP address identifies the network (the ones) and which part the hosts (the zeros). The network part is necessary for the router to identify and manage local traffic. The host part is used to assign unique addresses to devices within the network, ensuring there is enough space for all connected devices.
Example:
– Network address: 192.168.1.XXX (Network ID: 192.168.1.0, Broadcast address: 192.168.1.255)
– Subnet mask: 255.255.255.0 (Bin: 11111111.11111111.11111111.00000000)
The first 24 bits of the IP belong to the network and the other 8 bit to the hosts.
Alternative: Describing it with the CIDR notation: “192.168.1.XXX/24”