We will separate each 4 bits by a space for readability and replace the dots with dashes: 1100 0000 - 1010 1000 - 0000 0000 - 0000 0101 We can also express this in binary to get a better idea of how the four octets will look. The lowest value in each octet is a 0, and the highest value is 255. Even though these numbers are typically expressed in decimal to aid in human comprehension, each segment is usually referred to as an octet to express the fact that it is a representation of 8 bits.Ī typical IPv4 address looks something like this: 192.168.0.5 Each byte, or 8-bit segment of the address, is divided by a period and typically expressed as a number 0–255. Simply put, the world now has too many internet-connected devices for the amount of addresses available through IPv4. IPv6 is slowly replacing IPv4 due to improvements in the protocol and the limitations of IPv4 address space. There are two revisions of the IP protocol that are widely implemented on systems today: IPv4 and IPv6. This allows the same IP address to be used on multiple, isolated networks while still allowing these to communicate with each other if configured correctly. A system called Network Address Translation, allows the addresses to be rewritten when packets traverse network borders to allow them to continue on to their correct destination. Networks can be isolated from one another, and they can be bridged and translated to provide access between distinct networks. Assuming that the two computers are on the same network, or that the different computers and devices in between can translate requests across networks, the computers should be able to reach each other and send information.Įach IP address must be unique on its own network. If one computer wants to communicate with another computer, it can address the information to the remote computer’s IP address. IP addresses allow network resources to be reached through a network interface. In the normal TCP/IP model of network layering, this is handled on a few different layers, but usually when we refer to an address on a network we are talking about an IP address. This means that it can be reached by referencing its designation under a predefined system of addresses. Understanding IP addressesĮvery location or device on a network must be addressable. Specifically, we will be covering network classes, subnets, and CIDR notation for grouping IP addresses. In this article, we will discuss some more specific concepts that are involved with designing or interacting with networked computers. You should look through that guide to make sure you are familiar with the concepts presented there. In a previous guide, we went over some basic networking terminology. This has implications when trying to communicate between servers efficiently, developing secure network policies, and keeping your nodes organized. In fact, they are the same, but these settings are implemented differently in routers by different manufacturers.Understanding networking is a fundamental part of configuring complex environments on the internet. In this case, the bridge connection (WDS) is used, or the repeater mode.