Network Addressing in CN -

Network addressing in CN

Network addressing refers to the methodology of assigning unique identifiers to devices within a computer network to facilitate communication. These addresses enable devices to locate and exchange data with each other across the network. Network addressing is a fundamental aspect of networking and plays a crucial role in ensuring the proper routing of data packets. Here’s an overview of network addressing:

In the below PDF we discuss about Network Addressing in detail in simple language, Hope this will help in better understanding.

What is Classful Addressing?

Classful addressing is a method of allocating IP addresses that divides the available address space into predefined classes. These classes, denoted by Class A, Class B, and Class C, primarily, with Class D and Class E reserved for specific purposes. were defined based on the number of network and host bits they contain. Each class has a fixed number of network and host bits, which determine the range of addresses available for use.

Class A: Class A addresses use the first octet to represent the network portion, leaving the next three octets for host addresses. The first bit in a Class A address is always 0, giving a range of 0 to 127 for the first octet. Class A addresses are typically used for large networks.
Class B: In Class B addresses, the first two octets are used for the network portion, while the remaining two octets represent host addresses. The first two bits in a Class B address are always 10, giving a range of 128 to 191 for the first octet. Class B addresses are commonly utilized for medium-sized networks.
Class C: Class C addresses use the first three octets for the network portion and the last octet for host addresses. The first three bits in a Class C address are always 110, giving a range of 192 to 223 for the first octet. Class C addresses are suitable for small networks.

Features of Classful Addressing:

Simplicity: Classful addressing provided a straightforward way of allocating IP addresses based on the size of the network.
Address Allocation: Each class had a predefined range of addresses, simplifying address allocation for different network sizes.
Efficiency: For organizations requiring a large number of IP addresses, Class A addresses offered significant address space.

Conclusion

Classful addressing laid the groundwork for IP address allocation and routing in the early days of the Internet. While it provided a structured approach to IP address management, it also had significant limitations, particularly in terms of scalability and address space efficiency. The evolution to CIDR addressed these shortcomings, offering a more flexible and efficient way to allocate IP addresses and manage network resources. Understanding the concepts of classful addressing and its evolution to CIDR is essential for anyone working in the field of computer networking, as it forms the foundation of modern IP addressing schemes.