RTS Cronus Manual page 78

70
IP Address (Internet
Protocol Address)
LAN
Port
Routers
Subnet
Switches
WAN
Bosch Security Systems, Inc.
An IP Address is an identifier or numerical name for a computer or device on a network. Data
between computers are routed over the network using these addresses to identify the computer
the message is being sent to and the computer the message is being sent from.The format of an
IP Address is a 32-bit numeric address written as four numbers separated by periods. For
example, an IP Address looks like 10.100.1.1.
IMPORTANT: When working within an isolated network (meaning there is no Internet
access), IP Addresses can be assigned at random just as long as they are
unique to each computer and device. When the isolated network is
connected to the Internet, registered Internet Addresses must be obtained.
This is to prevent duplication of addresses.
The four numbers in and IP Address are used in different was to identify a particular network
and host on that network. There are three classes of Internet Addresses.
CLASS A - supports 16 million hosts on each of 127 networks.
CLASS B - supports 65,000 hosts on each of 16,000 networks.
CLASS C - supports 254 hosts on each of 2 million networks.
A LAN is a computer network that connects a relatively small area (a single building or group
of buildings). Most LANs connect work stations and computers to each other. Each computer
(also known as a "node"), has its own processing unit and executes its own processing unit and
executes its own programs; however it can also access data and devices anywhere on the LAN.
This means that many users can access and share the same information and devices. A good
example of a LAN device is a network printer. Most companies cannot afford the budgetary or
hardware expense of providing printers for each of its users; therefore, one printer (i.e., device)
is placed on the LAN where every user can access the same printer.
The LAN uses IP Addresses to route data to different destinations on the network. An IP
Address is a 32-bit numeric address written as four numbers separated by periods (for example
1.160.10.240).
A port, when referring to TCP and UDP networks, is an endpoint in a logical connection. The
port number identifies the type of port it is. For example, port 80 is used for HTTP traffic.
A router is a device that forwards data packets over networks. Most commonly, a router is
connected to at least two networks (normally LANs or WANs). Routers are located at gateways,
the place where two networks are connected. Routers do little data filtering, they mainly deliver
the data.
A subnet is a portion of a network that shares a common address component. On a TCP/IP
network, a subnet is described as all computers or devices whose IP Address have the same
prefix.
Subnetting a network is useful because it provides security for the network as well as increases
performance of the network. IP networks are divided using subnet masks
A switch is a device that filters and forwards data packets between networks. Switches operate
at the data layer, and sometimes at the network layer.
A wide area network connects two or more LANs and can span a relatively large geographical
area. For example, Telex Headquarters in Burnsville, MN is connected to several of its branch
offices in Nebraska and Arkansas over the wide area network. The largest WAN is the Internet.
Technical Manual
Cronus
F.01U.118.890 Rev. 23