The latest articles on DEV Community by Pintocristofer (@pintocristofer_fba3039fc6). https://dev.to/pintocristofer_fba3039fc6 https://media2.dev.to/dynamic/image/width=90,height=90,fit=cover,gravity=auto,format=auto/https:%2F%2Fdev-to-uploads.s3.us-east-2.amazonaws.com%2Fuploads%2Fuser%2Fprofile_image%2F4187939%2F77a3f8ed-0119-4ffe-9920-b6bf20c24970.png https://dev.to/pintocristofer_fba3039fc6 en Pintocristofer Fri, 16 Oct 2026 06:13:58 +0000 https://dev.to/pintocristofer_fba3039fc6/ipv4-26-subnetting-explained-a-beginner-friendly-guide-39oe https://dev.to/pintocristofer_fba3039fc6/ipv4-26-subnetting-explained-a-beginner-friendly-guide-39oe <p>Subnetting is an important networking skill for IT students and people preparing for certifications such as the CCNA</p> <p>Subnetting is an important networking skill for IT students and people preparing for certifications such as the CCNA. It helps you understand how IP addresses are grouped into networks.</p> <p>In this tutorial, we'll work through an IPv4 /26 subnet example step by step.</p> <h2> 1. What does /26 mean? </h2> <p>The /26 is a CIDR prefix. It means that 26 of the 32 bits in an IPv4 address identify the network.</p> <p>The subnet mask for /26 is 255.255.255.192.</p> <p>Each /26 subnet contains 64 total IP addresses. Traditionally, two addresses are reserved for the network address and broadcast address, leaving 62 usable host addresses in a conventional IPv4 subnet.</p> <h2> 2. Calculate the subnet size </h2> <p>The interesting octet is the last one, where the subnet mask is 192.</p> <p>Subnet block size = 256 - 192 = 64.</p> <p>The subnet ranges are 192.168.1.0–192.168.1.63, 192.168.1.64–192.168.1.127, 192.168.1.128–192.168.1.191, and 192.168.1.192–192.168.1.255.</p> <h2> 3. Work through an example </h2> <p>Suppose a computer has IP address 192.168.1.70/26. Since 70 falls between 64 and 127, its network address is 192.168.1.64/26.</p> <ul> <li>Subnet mask: 255.255.255.192</li> <li>Network address: 192.168.1.64</li> <li>Broadcast address: 192.168.1.127</li> <li>Usable host range: 192.168.1.65–192.168.1.126</li> <li>Usable host addresses: 62</li> </ul> <h2> 4. Test yourself </h2> <p>A computer has the IP address 192.168.1.150/26. Which network address is correct?</p> <p>A. 192.168.1.0/26<br> B. 192.168.1.64/26<br> C. 192.168.1.128/26<br> D. 192.168.1.192/26</p> <p>Answer: C — 192.168.1.128/26. The address 150 falls within the range 128–191.</p> <h2> 5. Keep practising </h2> <p>The easiest way to improve at subnetting is to practise identifying block sizes, network addresses, broadcast addresses, and usable host ranges.</p> <p>Explore my free IT certification study resources covering networking, cloud computing, and cybersecurity:<br> <a href="https://github.com/pintocristofer9870-hub/free-it-certification-resources" rel="noopener noreferrer">https://github.com/pintocristofer9870-hub/free-it-certification-resources</a></p> <p>For additional IT certification preparation resources, visit <a href="https://examsteacher.com/" rel="noopener noreferrer">https://examsteacher.com/</a>.</p> <p>Keep practising, and try calculating the next subnet yourself before checking the answer.</p> networking beginners tutorial cisco