Introduction to Networking - IPv4 Addressing

Set of flashcards containing key concepts from the Introduction to Networking lecture focusing on IPv4 Addressing.

What are the main components of an IPv4 address structure?

An IPv4 address is a 32-bit hierarchical address composed of a network portion and a host portion.

What is the purpose of a subnet mask in networking?

A subnet mask is used to determine the network and host portions of an IPv4 address by comparing it bit for bit with the IP address.

What are the three types of IP address transmissions?

Unicast (one destination), Broadcast (to all destinations), and Multicast (to a predefined group).

What defines a public IP address according to RFC 1918?

Public IPv4 addresses are globally routed and can be used on the internet, unlike private addresses which are not globally routable.

What is Network Address Translation (NAT)?

NAT translates private IP addresses to public IP addresses to allow multiple devices to access the internet through a single public address.

What is the significance of the prefix length in subnetting?

The prefix length indicates how many bits are used to identify the network portion in a subnet mask, written in slash notation.

Why is subnetting important in network design?

Subnetting reduces broadcast domains, improves network performance, implements security policies, and decreases the number of devices affected by abnormal broadcasts.

How do you calculate the number of hosts in a subnet?

The number of hosts in a subnet is calculated as 2 raised to the power of the number of host bits, minus 2 for network and broadcast addresses.

What is Variable Length Subnet Mask (VLSM)?

VLSM allows for the subdivision of a subnet into smaller subnets to optimize the use of IP addresses and prevent waste.

What is the purpose of the loopback addresses in IPv4?

Loopback addresses (127.0.0.1) are used to test if TCP/IP is operational on the host.

What does classful addressing refer to in IPv4?

Classful addressing was a method of allocating IPv4 addresses based on predefined classes (A, B, C, D, E) rather than using flexible subnet sizes.

What are the role and characteristics of public and private IP addresses?

Public IP addresses are unique across the internet, while private IP addresses are not globally unique and are used within private networks.

What is the primary function of routers concerning broadcasts?

Routers do not propagate broadcasts; they only pass traffic between different broadcast domains.

When subnetting a /24 network, what are some possible new subnet masks?

Possible new subnet masks include /25 (255.255.255.128), /26 (255.255.255.192), /27 (255.255.255.224), etc.

What is the definition of multicast in IPv4 addressing?

Multicast transmission sends packets to a specific group of hosts that are subscribed to the multicast address.