Subnetting
I love servers. Check this out:
Movin’ on up to Class B!
Explanation:
On a broad basis, ranges of IP addresses (item #2 in image) are grouped by “class”: classes A, B, and C. A typical network configuration is class C, like 192.168.1.X. It’s class C because you can only change the last number. Class B networks let you change the last two numbers, and Class A networks let you change the last three numbers (all but the first one).
I could have done a class A network (since this is a private, non-Internet range of IPs), but I decided to do two varying numbers because I have no need for a third one (just too complex…something like 253^3 possible computers on the network).
So, all my IPs are in the form 10.1.X.Y. This way, I can group routers on 10.1.1.X, servers on 10.1.2.X, known hosts on 10.1.3.X, printers on 10.1.4.X, and unknown (DHCP pool) hosts on 10.1.5.X.
Excessive? Yes.
Cool? Yes.