1. Network Address: This part identifies the specific network the device belongs to.
* It's like your street address - it tells you which neighborhood (network) you're in.
* It's used by routers to forward packets between networks.
2. Host Address: This part identifies the specific device within the network.
* It's like your house number within the street address.
* It allows devices within a network to communicate with each other directly.
Why this structure is helpful:
* Efficient routing: Networks can be grouped logically, and routers can quickly determine which network a packet needs to be sent to based on the network address.
* Address space management: It allows for efficient use of IP addresses by assigning a range of addresses to each network.
* Security: By using a network address, you can control access to devices within a network by using firewalls and other security measures.
Examples:
* 192.168.1.100:
* 192.168.1: Network address.
* 100: Host address.
* 172.16.0.1:
* 172.16.0: Network address.
* 1: Host address.
Important Note: The exact number of bits used for each part (network and host) depends on the specific IP address class and subnet mask used.