Subnet mask

Subnet mask

The subnet mask is a mechanism used to divide a single IP network into several different subnetworks. For a given network class, a portion of an IP address that would normally be used to identify a node is used, instead, to identify a subnetwork. A subnet mask is applied to each IP address to specify the portion used for subnetworks, and the portion used to identify the node. For example, see Subnet mask.


Example: Subnet mask 255.255.0.0 applied to class A network
Class A Network Address Network 15 xxx xxx xxx
Subnet Mask 255 255 0 0
IP Address fields with Subnet Mask applied Network Subnet Host Host
Example of a node’s IP Address on Subnet 1 15 1 25 7
Example of a node’s IP Address on Subnet 254 15 254 64 2

As illustrated in Subnet mask, the Class A IP network address “15” has been assigned to company ABC. To allow additional networks at company ABC’s site, the subnet mask of 255.255.0.0 is used. This subnet mask specifies that the second byte of the IP address will be used to identify up to 254 subnets. Using this designation, each device is uniquely identified on its own subnet, but company ABC can incorporate up to 254 subnetworks without violating their assigned address space.

HP Color Laserjet 2605 Subnet mask