HP Color LaserJet CP2025 Printer series - Manual (Page 52)

Subnets
When an IP network address for a particular network class is assigned to an organization, no provision
is made for more than one network being present at that location. Local network administrators use
subnets to partition a network into several different subnetworks. Splitting a network into subnets can
result in better performance and improved use of limited network address space.
Subnet mask
The subnet mask is a mechanism used to divide a single IP network into several different subnetworks.
For a given network class, a portion of an IP address that would normally be used to identify a node is
used, instead, to identify a subnetwork. A subnet mask is applied to each IP address to specify the
portion used for subnetworks, and the portion used to identify the node.
Gateways
Gateways (routers) are used to connect networks together. Gateways are devices that act as translators
between systems that do not use the same communication protocols, data formatting, structures,
languages, or architectures. Gateways repackage the data packets and change the syntax to match
that of the destination system. When networks are divided into subnets, gateways are required to
connect one subnet to another.
Default gateway
The default gateway is the IP address of the gateway or router that moves packets between networks.
If multiple gateways or routers exist, then the default gateway is typically the address of the first, or
nearest, gateway or router. If no gateways or routers exist, then the default gateway will typically assume
the IP address of the network node (such as the workstation or product).
42 Chapter 5 Connectivity ENWW