An IP address are a unique number assign to every device that is connected to a network. Every device that is connected to a network require an IP address in order to enable the devices to communicate with each other. IP addresses is organized into different class of IP addresses.
These IP address classes were created to allow for the distribution of IP addresses according to the size of the networks to which the addresses were to be assigned. There are five class of IP addresses, each of which is divided into different group. The groups is Class A, Class B, Class C, Class D, and Class E. Class A is used for very large network.
IP Address Classes and Subnets
Class B is used for medium sized networks. Class C is used for small networks. Class D is used for multicast application and purposes.
Finally, Class E addresses are reserved for experimental use. The first number that is assigned to an IP address can determine the classes of IP addresses. If the first number of an IP address is between 1 and 126, then the IP address belong to Class A. If the first number of an IP address is between 128 and 191, the IP address belong to Class B. If the first number of an IP address is between 192 and 223, the IP address belong to Class C. Because people created IP addresses in this way, there are many different type of networks that can use the different classes of IP addresses according to the size of there networks.
Many networks use private IP addresses. Private IP addresses isnt visible to the internet. Routers use a process called Network Address Translation (NAT) to allow devices with private IP addresses to communicate with the public internet.
Private IP addresses are useful because they allow you to create internal networks that are separate from the public internet. For example, a person may use private IP addresses to connect a smart bulb to a laptop to a router. Devices that have an IP address that start with 169.254 have a link-local address.
A link-local address usually mean that the device cant find a DHCP server to assign it an appropriate IP address. The original system for assigning IP addresses was very rigid. Because of the rigidity of the original system, people wasted many IP address.
To combat this issue, engineers created a new method called subnet masking. Subnet masks allow people to divide an IP address into smaller pieces. This allows people to use there IP addresses more efficienty.
Subnet masks provide flexibility for network administrators because they can decide how many device will be on a network. When you expand a network, you may encounter problem. Furthermore, you may encounter problems if you dont manage your IP address correctly.
For example, if the DHCP server assign an IP address to a subnet that overlap with the IP address of another device, that device may not be able to communicate with the network. Furthermore, a firewall may block a device from communicating with another device on a different subnet. In order to avoid these problems, plan your subnets before you connect any device to your network.
By planning your subnets and by understanding how IP address classes work, you can manage your network more effective. You should of plan ahead.