- Subnet mask is a network function similar to the IP address. Subnet mask written in the 32-bit format.
- Subnet mask is mainly used to identify the network address from the IP address.
- Subnet masks are most useful in determinig the subnet / network of a given IP address by dividing the IP address into Network address and Host address.
- Subnetting devides the host address again into subnet and host.
Applying Subnet Mask To IP address :
- Host IP address refers to the local computer
- Network IP address refers to the shared connection of network by the office or home groups.
- All bits corresponding to the network IP address set to 1.
- All bits corresponding to the host IP address set to 0.
- For knowing the network address we will apply the Bitwise logical AND operation between IP address and subnet mask.
| 216.003.128.012 |
IP address |
11011000.00000011.10000000.00001100 |
| 255.255.255.0 |
subnet mask for class c |
11111111.11111111.11111111.00000000 |
| 216.003.128.000 |
network address |
11011000.00000011.10000000.00000000 |
Subnet Mask For Classes :
Advantages Of Subnet Mask :
- Subnetting will separate the big network into multiple smaller networks for easy organizing and providing security.
- Subnet mask is used to identify the number of computer accessing network.
