1.4.9 Lab – Verify Address with a Subnet Calculator
Objectives
Subnet calculators can be helpful in providing information about a specific network or subnet. Typically, a subnet calculator will ask for a specific IPv4 or IPv6 address along with its subnet mask or prefix length. It will then calculate the address ranges for the full range of subnetworks specified.
In this activity, you will determine the IPv4 address and subnet mask of your device and use an online subnet calculator to determine the IPv4 network address.
Instructions
Part 1: Determine Your Device’s IPv4 Address and Subnet Mask
Depending on your device’s operating system (computer or mobile phone), use the proper command to determine the following:
- IPv4 address
- Subnet mask
Record IPv4 address and subnet mask for your device.
Answers will vary.
Part 2: Search for an Online Subnet Calculator
a. Using your web browser, search for IP subnet calculator to get a list of various IP subnet calculators.
b. Choose an IP subnet calculator from the web search results.
Part 3: Enter the IPv4 Address and Subnet Mask
In the appropriate area, enter your device’s IPv4 address and subnet mask. Perform the calculation to determine the IPv4 network address.
Part 4: Examine the IPv4 Network Address
The actual information provided will vary but the most common information includes:
- Network address
- Range of host addresses
- Broadcast address
- Number of usable hosts
The IPv4 network address displayed is the network address of your device. If the output includes a range of host addresses, the address of your device should be within that range.
This information can be useful in verifying:
- If the device in question is on the same network as its default gateway.
- If two devices are on different networks, and therefore, proper routing must be utilized for reachability.
Note: Many of these subnet calculators will also give the address class; Class A, B or C. It is important to note that this information is no longer relevant. Classful addressing was discontinued with the introduction of Classless Inter-Domain Routing (CIDR) in 1993.
Using the information from the results, answer the following questions:
What is your network address?
Answers will vary.
What is the range of host addresses?
Answers will vary.
What is the broadcast address?
Answers will vary.
What is the number of usable hosts?
Answers will vary.