IPv4 Subnet Motion Studio - By Hasty Pshtiwan & Sarhad Dana

01

The 32-Bit Laser Cut

Every IPv4 has 32 bits. We cut it into Network bits and Host bits.

32

−

=

Host Bits

Network Portion ( bits) Host Portion ( bits)

11111111...

...000

👉 Rule: The 6 remaining bits are given to create IP addresses for computers.

02

Doubling Power (Total IPs)

Each host bit doubles the size of the network: 2^{Host Bits}

Formula

2

➜

Binary Doubling Chain

2 × 2 × 2 × 2 × 2 × 2

=

Total Block Size

Total Addresses

Total IP Size Visualization:

👉 This subnet has a single slice of 64 total addresses.

03

The Minus 2 Rule (−2)

Why can computers NOT use all 64 addresses?

Every subnet reserves exactly 2 special VIP addresses that computers cannot use:

1. First IP (Network ID) RESERVED

Acts like the Street Name. Computers cannot use this number.

2. Last IP (Broadcast) RESERVED

Acts like a Megaphone to talk to all devices at once.

− 2 = Usable Host Devices

04

How the Mask is Created

We put 26 ones, and turn them into 4 decimal numbers.

Octet 1 11111111 255

Octet 2 11111111 255

Octet 3 11111111 255

Octet 4 (Split) 11000000 192

Subnet Mask Result

👉 Routers check this mask to separate local friends from external internet traffic.

05

The IP Railway Map

Watch the data packet travel through your subnet from start to finish!

Start Usable Host Safe Zone End

Network ID (Start):

Usable Hosts (Computers):

Broadcast IP (End):

🎉 Congratulations! You solved this entire IPv4 subnet!

Subnet Solver