An 

Internet Protocol address (IP address) is a numerical label assigned to each device (e.g.,
computer, printer) participating in a computer network that uses the Internet Protocol for communication.

1st Octet Network/Host ID Default Subnet Number of Hosts per Network

Class
Decimal Range (N=Network, H=Host) Mask Networks (Usable Addresses)

A 1 – 126* N.H.H.H 255.0.0.0 126 (27 – 2) 16,777,214 (224 – 2)

16,382
B 128 – 191 N.N.H.H 255.255.0.0 65,534 (216 – 2)
(2  – 2)
14

2,097,150 (221–
C 192 – 223 N.N.N.H 255.255.255.0 254 (28 – 2)
2)

Note: Class A addresses 127.0.0.0 to 127.255.255.255 cannot be used and is reserved for loopback and
diagnostic functions.

Private IP Addresses
Class Private Networks Subnet Mask Address Range

A 10.0.0.0 255.0.0.0 10.0.0.0 - 10.255.255.255

B 172.16.0.0 - 172.31.0.0 255.240.0.0 172.16.0.0 - 172.31.255.255

C 192.168.0.0 255.255.0.0 192.168.0.0 - 192.168.255.255

***Difference between static and dynamic IPs. When a device is assigned a static IP address, it does not
change. The device always has the same IP address. Most devices use dynamic IP addresses, which are
assigned by the network when they connect.

A SUBNET MASK is a number that defines a range of IP addresses available within a network. A
single subnet mask limits the number of valid IPs for a specific network. Multiple subnet masks can
organize a single network into smaller networks (called subnetworks or subnets)
A DEFAULT GATEWAY is the node in a computer network using the internet protocol suite that serves as the
forwarding host to other networks when no other route specification matches the destination IP address of a
packet.
A DNS SERVER is a computer server that contains a database of public IP addresses and their
associated hostnames and in most cases serves to resolve, or translate, those names to
IP addresses as requested. DNS servers run special software and communicate with each other using
special protocols.

Parts of IPv4 (IP version 4) Address:

Protocols need to configure for workgroup computers (P2P Networking):

 Computer name & workgroup name

 Static/Dynamic IP Address
 Subnet Mask Address
 Default Gateway Address
 DNS Server Address (optional)
 Alternate DNS Server Address (optional)
 Firewall Configuration
 Network Configuration verification