IP Addressing Fundamentals

The reader-friendly explanation of how the IP address space works and how it is used - A reader-friendly introduction to the complex and confusing topic of IP addressing - Thorough and understandable explanations of the binary mathematics behind IP addressing - Complete coverage of the IPv4 address space without distractions of routing or transport protocols - Detailed explanations of subnetting and supernetting, Variable Length Subnet Masks (VLSMs), CIDR, NAT, portable address spaces, and IPv6 - Strategies for managing an address space for enterprise WANs, data centers, and ISPs - Numerous examples and an easy-to-read style of writing that imparts a profound understanding of IP addressing The Internet Protocol (IP) is the native protocol suite of the Internet and has become predominant in virtually all networks and internetworks. Managing an IP address space requires a solid command of binary mathematics, particularly as it is applied within the IP addressing architecture. The mathematics of the IP address space, however, are not intuitive and can be very difficult to grasp. Consequently, learning about IP addressing can be a lot like trying to piece together a jigsaw puzzle-but without knowing what the puzzle is supposed to look like. IP Addressing Fundamentals explains simply and clearly how the IP address space works and how it is used. This is a reader-friendly book that details the fundamentals of the IP address space from the ground up. IP Addressing Fundamentals unravels the mysteries of subnetting, supernetting, and CIDR; thoroughly explains the binary mathematics of IPv4's addressing space; and demonstrates how an IP address becomes an active component in both networks and internetworks. Author Mark Sportack prepares you for real-world success by walking you through some of the issues and traps that lie in wait for anyone who needs to plan or manage the use of an IP address space. Most importantly, this book doesn't presume you already know what the entire IP addressing puzzle looks like. IP Addressing Fundamentals imparts a profound command of IP addressing through a clear and concise writing style. Basics are reinforced with detailed information and numerous examples of how the concepts work. This book builds upon concepts presented in earlier chapters and concludes with fairly advanced topics that will become increasingly useful to midlevel network engineers. After reading IP Addressing Fundamentals, you'll finally understand IP addressing and appreciate both its mechanics and relevance, and you'll know how to efficiently apply your new knowledge.

By day, Mark A. Sportack is the director of network engineering for ClearBlue Technologies. His professional responsibilities include setting technical direction for data networks within the company's Internet data centers, network planning and design, capacity management, and network security. By night, Mark is an adjunct professor with Syracuse University's School of Information Studies and Technology, where he teaches graduate courses on data networking. During the course of the last 20 years, Mark has worked in virtually every aspect of Information Technology, from administering networks and servers to managing technology and technical personnel. Mark has also written a variety of books, including IP Routing Fundamentals published by Cisco Press, Networking Essentials Unleashed, and many others.

Introduction. INTRODUCTION TO IP ADDRESSING. Developing the Internets Technologies. The Internets Caretakers. The Internet Standards Process. The Benefits of Openness. Classical IP: The Way It Was. Evolution of the Address Space. The Address Space Hierarchy. Fixed-Length Subnet Masks. Introduction to Subnetting. Forming Subnets from 24-Bit Network Addresses. Sources of Inefficiencies with FLSM. Variable-Length Subnet Masks. Variable-Length Subnetting in the RFCs. The Inefficiencies of FLSM. A Practical Application. THE EVOLUTION OF IPV4. The Date of Doom. Responding to the Crisis. Interim Solutions. Classless Interdomain Routing (CIDR). CIDR: An Historic Review. Symmetry of CIDR Notation. Supernetting. Private Addresses and NAT. Private Address Spaces. NAT. Implementation Topologies. Problems with NAT. ADVANCED IP TOPICS. Internet Names. Introduction to Internet Names. DNS: The Hierarchical Approach. Nonstandard Internet Names. IP Multicasting. The Concept of Multicasting. IPv4 Multicasting Mechanisms. STRATEGIES FOR NETWORK STABILITY, SCALABILITY, AND PERFORMANCE. Networking with IP. Dissecting a Typical Communications Session. Domain Name System. Translating IP Addresses into MAC Addresses. Internetworking with IP. The Mechanics of Routing. Routing and the Internet. Network Stability. The Problem with "Open" Networking. RFC 2267, "Source Address Assurance". Address Lending for Network Stability. Planning and Managing an Address Space. The Challenge of Managing an Address Space. Address Management Issues for an Enterprise WAN. ISP Address Management Issues. Address Management Issues for an Internet Hosting Center. Address Management Tactics. The Challenge of Managing an Address Space. Sequential Assignment. Sequential Assignment with Gaps. Predefining with Symmetrical Gaps. Balkanizing an Address Space. THE FUTURE OF THE INTERNET PROTOCOL. IPv6: The Future of IP Addressing. The Need for More. Overview of IPv6. Address Types. More Migration Tools. What Are We Waiting For? Index.