Network Layer: IP Addresses and Addressing (IPv4)

Flashcards covering IPv4 basics: address size, classful addressing (A–E), ARP, DHCP, fragmentation, and related concepts.

What is the size and structure of an IPv4 address?

IPv4 addresses are 32-bit numbers composed of 4 decimal octets (four 8-bit numbers).

Do IP addresses belong to networks or to individual devices?

IP addresses belong to networks, not to individual devices attached to those networks.

How are dynamic and static IP addressing described in the notes?

Dynamic IP addresses are assigned to clients; static IP addresses are reserved for devices, servers, and networks.

What is an IP datagram and which IP version is most common?

An IP datagram is a highly structured, field-defined unit; IPv4 is the most common version.

How is Class A addressing structured in terms of network and host IDs?

In Class A, the first octet is the network ID and the last three octets form the host ID.

How is Class B addressing structured in terms of network and host IDs?

In Class B, the first two octets are the network ID and the last two are the host ID.

How is Class C addressing structured in terms of network and host IDs?

In Class C, the first three octets are the network ID and the last octet is the host ID.

What is the leftmost bit pattern for Class A addresses?

Class A addresses begin with a leftmost bit of 0 (prefix 0xxx).

What is the leftmost bit pattern for Class B addresses?

Class B addresses begin with leftmost bits 10 (prefix 10xx).

What is the leftmost bit pattern for Class C addresses?

Class C addresses begin with leftmost bits 110 (prefix 110x).

What is the range for Class D (multicast) addresses and its leftmost bit pattern?

Class D addresses start with 1110 and range from 224.0.0.0 to 239.255.255.255.

What is the range for Class E addresses and its leftmost bit pattern?

Class E addresses start with 1111 and range from 240.0.0.0 to 255.255.255.255.

What does ARP stand for and what is its purpose?

ARP stands for Address Resolution Protocol; it maps IP addresses to hardware (MAC) addresses on the local network.

What does DHCP stand for and what does it do?

DHCP stands for Dynamic Host Configuration Protocol; it automatically assigns IP addresses to new devices.

Can IP datagrams be fragmented?

Yes, IP datagrams may be fragmented if necessary.

What is the purpose of the IP address space and the class system?

The address class system defines how the global IP address space is divided into networks and hosts, guiding routing and allocation.