Ip Addressing; Figure 1-1. Ip Address Class Types - Bay Networks Nautica 200 Reference Manual

NauticaRS Release 4.1 Reference Guide

IP Addressing

1-10
Because it is used worldwide, TCP/IP networks need a unique
addressing structure to ensure that transmitted data reaches its
destination. The Internet Protocol uses a 32-bit address structure,
divided into two parts. The first part identifies the network, and
the second part identifies the host node (station) on that network.
To make IP addresses easier to read, remember and use (e.g., to
enter into your computer), they are usually written in dotted
decimal notation. For example, the binary address:
11000011.00100010.00001100.00000111
is written as 195.34.12.7 in dotted decimal.
There are five classes of IP address: each has a different way of
specifying the network and host sections of the address, to allow
for different numbers of hosts on a network. Each type of address
begins with a unique bit pattern, which is used by the TCP/IP
software to identify the address class. When the address class has
been determined, the software can correctly identify the host
section of the address.
The three main address classes are shown below, with the
network and host (node) sections of the address for each class.
Figure 1-1. IP Address Class Types
117237-C Rev. A