Suggest an editImprove this articleRefine the answer for “What is a network address?”. Your changes go to moderation before they’re published.Approval requiredContentWhat you’re changing🇺🇸EN🇺🇦UAPreviewTitle (EN)Short answer (EN)**A network address** is an IP address that denotes an entire network as a whole, not a specific device within that network. **Key point:** a network address is the address of the network that devices belong to.Shown above the full answer for quick recall.Answer (EN)Image**A network address** is an **IP address that denotes an entire network as a whole**, not a specific device within that network. Put simply: **a network address is the address of the network that devices belong to**. --- ## What a network address means An IP address is logically divided into two parts: - the **network part** - the **host part** **A network address** is an address in which: - **the entire host part consists of zeros** - it is used to denote **the network itself** --- ## Example (IPv4) Take the address: ``` 192.168.1.10/24 ``` - the `/24` mask means: - 24 bits: network - 8 bits: hosts Then: - the **network address** will be: ``` 192.168.1.0 ``` The address `192.168.1.0`: - cannot be assigned to a device - is used to denote the network `192.168.1.0/24` --- ## How a network address is calculated A network address is obtained: - using the **subnet mask** - with a bitwise **AND** operation between the IP address and the mask But for an interview, it is usually enough to understand **that it is an address with a zero host part**. --- ## Why a network address is needed A network address is used for: - describing networks in **routing tables** - determining **whether devices are in the same network or in different ones** - configuring routers and subnets Routers operate: - not on individual IPs - but on **networks**, denoted by network addresses --- ## What is important to remember - a network address: - **is not assigned to a host** - **denotes a network** - next to it there is always: - a mask - or a prefix (`/24`, `/16`, and so on)For the reviewerNote to the moderator (optional)Visible only to the moderator. Helps review go faster.