IP ADDRESSING

IP Addressing

IP stands for Internet Protocol. This is the process of assigning a unique number to every device on a network, in order to differentiate them from others. If a device wants to communicate using TCP/IP, it needs an IP address. When the device has an IP address and the appropriate software and hardware, it can send and receive data through network. Any device that can send and receive IP packets is called an IP host.

 

Each of the decimal numbers in an IP address is called an octet. The term octet is just a vendor-neutral term instead of byte. So, for an IP address of 168.1.1.1, the first octet is 168, the second octet is 1, and so on. The range of decimal numbers in each octet is between 0 and 255, inclusive.

 

In IP addressing there are four octets (X:X:X:X) which have 8 bits each.

Classes of IP address are below:

 

Class A

In class A IP address, the first octet has a range of numbers [0-127]. The arrangement then becomes, [0-127] : X:X:X. Example of such IP is 121:5:6:10. In this class of IP, the first octet is regarded as the network number while the remaining 3 octets are regarded as the host number.

Class B

In class B IP address the first octet has a range of numbers within [128-191]. The first two octets are the network numbers while the remaining two octets are the host numbers.

 

Class C

In class C IP address the first octet has a range of numbers within [192-223]. The first three octets are regarded as the network number while the last octet is the host number. Class C IP are often used in local area network. Example of such IP is 192:168:1:9.

 

Class D

In class C addressing, the first octet has a range of numbers within [224-239].

Class E,

In class C IP address, the first octet has a range of numbers within [ 240-255].