IP Routing Primer

Introduction to the 32-Bit IP Address

An IP address consists of four sets of octets (eight bits per octet), or 32 bits. IP addresses are typically written in a format referred to as dotted decimal format. In other words, the number base is decimal and the sections are denoted by dots (.). A Class B address representation is as follows: 10.1.23.19.

      10.       1.      23.      19 (decimal)00001010.00000001.00010111.00010011 (binary)

10.1.23.19 is much easier to work with than its binary equivalent, 00001010.00000001.00010111.00010011. It is important to note that they both have the exact same meaning.

Classes of Addresses

These four octets are broken down to provide an addressing scheme that can provide for large and small networks. Although ...