10. IP addressing, subnetting and switching - revision mindmap
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IPv4 structure
- 32 bits in four octets
- Prefix fixes network bits; remainder is host bits
- Mask: leading ones then zeroes
- Private: 10/8, 172.16/12, 192.168/16; NAT translates internal addresses.
Subnet calculation
- Host bits = 32 − prefix
- Network = address AND mask
- Broadcast = same network, all host bits one
- Ordinary usable range and 2^(host bits) − 2; stated exceptions
Delivery decision
- Compare local network portions
- Local target: next-hop host MAC
- Remote target: gateway MAC, remote IP destination
- ARP resolves local next-hop IPv4 address to MAC
Addressing variations
- Classful A/B/C defaults; explicit CIDR takes precedence
- VLSM: fit groups into aligned non-overlapping blocks
- IPv6: 128 bits, hex groups, one double-colon compression
- IP versus MAC versus transport port; ICMP versus IGMP
Switching comparison
- Circuit: reserved resources and setup
- Packet: addressed units sharing capacity
- Variable delay, loss and reordering
- Alternative routes possible, not compulsory for every packet
Worked example & exam traps
- 196.168.10.23/22 → mask 255.255.252.0; 10 host bits.
- Network 196.168.8.0; broadcast 196.168.11.255.
- Usable: 196.168.8.1 to 196.168.11.254; 1022 hosts.
- Avoid: same first three octets always same subnet; 196.168 is private
Sources and reading
This map condenses Chapter 10 and its source trail. Use the self-learning reading guide for the corresponding VJC pages and A notes. It does not add topics to the stated promo scope.