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 Mon, 19 Oct 2026 07:59:20 +0000 https://dev.to/pintocristofer_fba3039fc6/ipv4-subnetting-for-beginners-step-by-step-examples-and-practice-questions-2a4p https://dev.to/pintocristofer_fba3039fc6/ipv4-subnetting-for-beginners-step-by-step-examples-and-practice-questions-2a4p <p>IPv4 Subnetting for Beginners: Step-by-Step Examples and Practice Questions</p> <h1> Introduction </h1> <p>IPv4 subnetting is an important networking skill for IT students and people preparing for certifications such as CompTIA Network+ and Cisco CCNA.</p> <p>Subnetting divides an IP address range into smaller networks. It helps network administrators organize devices, manage IP addresses, and design networks efficiently.</p> <p>In this beginner-friendly guide, you’ll learn how to identify a subnet mask, calculate a network address, and practice with an example.</p> <h2> 1. What Is a Subnet Mask? </h2> <p>A subnet mask identifies which part of an IPv4 address represents the network and which part represents the host.</p> <p>For example:</p> <ul> <li>IP address: <code>192.168.1.70</code> </li> <li>CIDR prefix: <code>/26</code> </li> <li>Subnet mask: <code>255.255.255.192</code> </li> </ul> <p>A <code>/26</code> subnet contains 64 total IP addresses. In a traditional IPv4 subnet, two addresses are reserved for the network address and broadcast address, leaving 62 usable host addresses.</p> <h2> 2. How to Find the Network Address </h2> <p>Consider this example:</p> <p><strong>IP address:</strong> <code>192.168.1.70/26</code></p> <p>Step 1: Identify the subnet mask. The <code>/26</code> prefix corresponds to <code>255.255.255.192</code>.</p> <p>Step 2: Calculate the block size: <code>256 − 192 = 64</code>.</p> <p>Step 3: The subnet ranges in the last octet begin at 0, 64, 128, and 192. Since 70 falls between 64 and 127, the network address is <strong><code>192.168.1.64/26</code></strong>.</p> <p>The broadcast address is <code>192.168.1.127</code>, and the usable host range is <code>192.168.1.65</code> to <code>192.168.1.126</code>.</p> <h2> 3. Practice Question </h2> <p>You are given the IPv4 address <code>192.168.1.70/26</code>. What is its network address?</p> <ul> <li>A. <code>192.168.1.0/26</code> </li> <li>B. <code>192.168.1.64/26</code> </li> <li>C. <code>192.168.1.70/26</code> </li> <li>D. <code>192.168.1.128/26</code> </li> </ul> <p><strong>Correct answer: B — <code>192.168.1.64/26</code></strong></p> <p>The block size is 64, and 70 belongs to the range 64–127.</p> <h2> 4. Tips for Learning Subnetting </h2> <ul> <li>Memorize common CIDR prefixes and subnet masks.</li> <li>Practice calculating block sizes.</li> <li>Learn to identify network and broadcast addresses.</li> <li>Solve practice questions before checking the answers.</li> <li>Review official certification exam objectives as part of your study plan.</li> </ul> <h2> Conclusion </h2> <p>Subnetting becomes easier with regular practice. Start with <code>/24</code>, <code>/25</code>, and <code>/26</code> networks, then gradually move to more complex examples.</p> <p>For more IT certification study resources and practice questions, visit <a href="https://examsteacher.com/" rel="noopener noreferrer">https://examsteacher.com/</a></p> networking beginners tutorial learning 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