IP Addresses and Subnetting

IP addresses identify devices on a network, and subnetting divides networks into smaller, more manageable, and more secure segments.

What is an IP Address?

An IP address is a unique numerical label assigned to every device on a network, allowing data to be routed to the correct destination. IPv4 and IPv6 are the two addressing standards in use today.

Public vs Private IP Addresses

Public IP addresses are reachable from the internet, while private IP addresses are used within local networks and are not directly accessible externally, an important distinction for network security design.

Understanding Subnetting

Subnetting splits a larger network into smaller sub-networks, improving performance and making it easier to isolate and contain security incidents within a smaller segment.

Why Subnetting Matters for Security

Well-planned subnetting limits how far an attacker can move if one segment is compromised, a principle known as network segmentation that's central to modern security architecture.