Final answer:
To determine the subnet mask of an IP address, one can refer to network documentation, understand the default subnet masks based on IP class, use CIDR notation, check network settings, or use command line tools such as ipconfig or ifconfig/ip to find the information.
Step-by-step explanation:
To determine the subnet mask of an IP address, you need to understand that subnetting is a method used to divide a network into smaller, more efficient subnetworks. The subnet mask is a sequence of numbers that outlines which portion of an IP address relates to the network and which part pertains to the host within that network.
There are a few methods to determine a subnet mask:
- Reference: You might have documentation from your network administrator or ISP that lists the subnet mask.
- Default Subnet Masks: Based on the class of your IP address (A, B, or C for private IP ranges), there are default subnet masks; e.g., Class A is 255.0.0.0, Class B is 255.255.0.0, and Class C is 255.255.255.0.
- CIDR Notation: CIDR (Classless Inter-Domain Routing) notation is a compact representation of an IP address and its associated routing prefix. An IP address with its subnet mask can be written as x.x.x.x/y, where x.x.x.x is the IP address, and y (ranging from 0 to 32) is the prefix length that represents the subnet mask.
- Network Settings: If accessing a computer, you can find the subnet mask in the network settings.
- Command Line: Using command line interfaces like ipconfig on Windows or ifconfig/ip on Unix/Linux systems can display the subnet mask associated with your network interfaces.
Understanding how TCP/IP networking and subnetting work is essential in determining the correct subnet mask for any given IP address.