These bits become a tradeoff based on the network class (A, B or C). Subnet masks for a Class C network (small network) use the first 24 bits for subnet ID and the last 8 for host ID. These last 8 ...

Like IP addresses, a subnet mask contains four bytes (32 bits) and is often written using the same dotted-decimal notation. For example, here's a common subnet mask in its binary representation ...

The last three octets of a Class A subnet mask are used to address hosts on a LAN; the 24 bits you can manipulate however you wish. If you wanted to create smaller networks (subnetworks ...