What does this statement mean? IP addresses are hierarchical(2 points)
Responses
Protocols are used to standardize communication between machines.
The information in an IP address goes from broad to specific.
Addresses can be expressed in 32 bits.
Only certain machines employ IP addresses to send and receive data.
The statement "IP addresses are hierarchical" means that:
1) The information in an IP address goes from broad to specific. This means that the IP address is divided into different parts, with each part indicating a specific level of network hierarchy. For example, the IP address may be divided into network portion and host portion, where the network portion represents a broader group of devices and the host portion represents a specific device within that network.
2) Addresses can be expressed in 32 bits. IP addresses are typically represented in a 32-bit format, which allows for a large number of unique addresses to be assigned to devices within a network. This format is commonly known as IPv4. However, with the growth of the internet, the number of available IPv4 addresses is becoming depleted, leading to the adoption of IPv6, which uses 128 bits for address representation.
So which one of the answers I listed is right?
The correct answer is:
The information in an IP address goes from broad to specific.
The statement "IP addresses are hierarchical" means that IP addresses are organized in a hierarchical structure. Here are the two points explaining this:
1. The information in an IP address goes from broad to specific: IP addresses consist of a series of numbers that follow a hierarchical structure. The address is divided into different parts, such as network and host portions, to provide information about the network's location and the specific device within that network.
2. Addresses can be expressed in 32 bits: IP addresses are typically represented by a set of four numbers separated by periods (e.g., 192.168.0.1). Each number represents 8 bits, adding up to a total of 32 bits. This 32-bit structure allows for over 4 billion unique combinations, providing enough capacity for the vast number of devices connected to the internet.
The other two statements are not related to the meaning of the given statement.
The statement "IP addresses are hierarchical" means that IP addresses are structured in a hierarchical manner to identify and route network traffic.
To understand this statement, let's break it down:
1. Understanding IP addresses: IP (Internet Protocol) addresses are numerical labels assigned to devices connected to a computer network. They serve the purpose of identifying and locating these devices on the network.
2. Hierarchical structure: IP addresses have a hierarchical structure, which means they are organized in different levels or layers from the most general to the most specific. This hierarchy helps in organizing and routing network traffic efficiently.
Here is how the hierarchy of IP addresses typically works:
- The IP address is divided into multiple levels, commonly referred to as network and host segments.
- The network segment identifies the network to which the device belongs, while the host segment identifies the specific device within that network.
- The network segment is often represented by the first few bits of the IP address, while the host segment is represented by the remaining bits.
- Higher-level networks and their associated IP addresses are responsible for routing traffic to more specific subnets or devices.
To summarize, the statement is highlighting that IP addresses follow a hierarchical structure, with the initial bits representing broader network segments and the subsequent bits representing more specific host segments. This hierarchy facilitates efficient routing and management of network traffic.