Netmask

What Does Netmask Mean?

Netmask is a term used in computer networking to define the class and range of Internet Protocol (IP) addresses.

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Netmask provides the available number range of IP addresses From Class A to Class C, and specifies a mask to divide these networks into sub-networks (subnets).

Netmask and subnet are often used alternatively. In fact, subnets are created after the application of netmask.

Techopedia Explains Netmask

Netmask primarily provides a method to create small subnetworks from a large range of IP addresses. Generally, netmask length is defined in up to 24-bit format for all types of IP classes. The division or creation of networks into subnetworks depends on the class of IP address in use along with their available netmasks. For example, the netmasks for the three IP classes are:

  • 255.0.0.0 for Class A with an 8-bit netmask
  • 255.255.0.0 for Class B with a 16-bit netmask
  • 255.255.255.0 for Class A with a 24-bit netmask

The greater the length of netmask the more networks it can accommodate. Therefore, the number of hosts decreases from Class A to Class C, whereas the number of available networks or subnetworks increases.

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Margaret Rouse

Margaret Rouse is an award-winning technical writer and teacher known for her ability to explain complex technical subjects to a non-technical, business audience. Over the past twenty years her explanations have appeared on TechTarget websites and she's been cited as an authority in articles by the New York Times, Time Magazine, USA Today, ZDNet, PC Magazine and Discovery Magazine.Margaret's idea of a fun day is helping IT and business professionals learn to speak each other’s highly specialized languages. If you have a suggestion for a new definition or how to improve a technical explanation, please email Margaret or contact her…