Understanding IP Subnetting: Network ID, Broadcast Address, First and Last Usable IP for 192.168.1.15/26

Introduction to IP Subnetting

IP subnetting is a fundamental concept in networking that allows a single IP address to be divided into smaller, more manageable segments. This process is crucial for efficient network design and management. In this article, we will explore how to determine the network ID, broadcast address, first and last usable IP addresses for the IP address 192.168.1.15/26.

Step 1: Determine the Subnet Mask

A /26 subnet mask is used in this context, meaning the first 26 bits are used for the network part, and the remaining 6 bits are for host addresses. This subnet mask translates to the following in binary and decimal:

Binary: 11111111.11111111.11111111.11000000 Decimal: 255.255.255.192

Step 2: Calculate the Network ID

The network ID is calculated by performing a bitwise AND operation between the IP address and the subnet mask. Here’s the breakdown:

IP Address: 192.168.1.15 - Binary: 11000000.10101000.00000001.00001111 Subnet Mask: 255.255.255.192 - Binary: 11111111.11111111.11111111.11000000

Performing the bitwise AND:

11000000.10101000.00000001.0000111111111111.11111111.11111111.11000000-----------------------------------------11000000.10101000.00000001.00000000

Therefore, the Network ID: is 192.168.1.0.

Step 3: Calculate the Broadcast Address

The broadcast address is found by setting all host bits to 1. Here’s the process:

Binary Representation of Network ID: 11000000.10101000.00000001.00000000 Set the last 6 bits to 1:

11000000.10101000.00000001.00111111

Therefore, the Broadcast Address: is 192.168.1.63.

Step 4: Calculate Usable IP Addresses

The first usable IP address is the network ID plus 1, and the last usable IP address is the broadcast address minus 1. Here’s how it works:

First Usable IP: 192.168.1.1 (Network ID 192.168.1.0 1) Last Usable IP: 192.168.1.62 (Broadcast Address 192.168.1.63 - 1)

Summary

Network ID: 192.168.1.0 Broadcast Address: 192.168.1.63 First Usable IP: 192.168.1.1 Last Usable IP: 192.168.1.62

These details provide a comprehensive understanding of the IP addresses and network configurations for 192.168.1.15 with a /26 subnet mask. Understanding these concepts is essential for effective network planning and management.