IP ADDRESS STRUCTURE:

Note: the terms multicast address and MSB are explained at the end.

Every station on a PSN (packet switched network) that is based on the TCP/IP
protocol (your computer is one, for example. Yes, we’re referring to a host
that is connected to the net) must have an IP address, so it can be identified,
and information can be relayed and routed to it in an orderly fashion.

An IP address consists of a 32 bit logical address. The address is divided
into two fields:

1) The network address:
Assigned by InterNIC (Internet Network Information Center). In fact most ISPs (internet service providers) purchase a number of addresses and assign them individually.

2) The host address:
An address that identifies the single nodes throughout the network. It can be assigned by the network manager, by using protocols for it such as DHCP, or the workstation itself.

[The IP networking protocol is a logically routed protocol, meaning that address 192.43.54.2 will be on the same physical wire as address 192.43.54.3 (of course this is not always true. It depends on the subnet mask of the network, but all of that can fill a text of its own) (more…)

Popularity: unranked [?]