[comp.protocols.tcp-ip] Subnet Number 0

ejm@riscit.NOC.Vitalink.COM (Erik J. Murrey) (03/05/91)

I see in RFC950 and the like that the subnet portion of the IP address
should not be zero, since it is reserved.  This seems to stem from the
concept of 0 meaning "this" network; presumably subnet "0" means
"this" subnet.  (i.e. if we have 128.1.0.0, with a 255.255.255.0 mask,
then an address of 128.1.0.x is illegal)

Is this still a real restriction on the address space?

---
Erik J. Murrey
Vitalink Communications NOC
ejm@NOC.Vitalink.COM	...!uunet!NOC.Vitalink.COM!ejm

jonson@SERVER.AF.MIL (Lt. Matt Jonson) (03/06/91)

<Erik J. Murrey writes>
> Subject: Subnet Number 0
> Message-Id: <1423@nocsun.NOC.Vitalink.COM>
> 
> I see in RFC950 and the like that the subnet portion of the IP address
> should not be zero, since it is reserved.  This seems to stem from the
> concept of 0 meaning "this" network; presumably subnet "0" means
> "this" subnet.  (i.e. if we have 128.1.0.0, with a 255.255.255.0 mask,
> then an address of 128.1.0.x is illegal)
> 
Absolutely.  Take a look at RFC 1122, section 3.2.1.3.  There are some
caveats for using such addresses in IP address discovery routines.

/matt

-- 

Lt Matthew W Jonson       jonson@server.af.mil  snail-mail:
Network Systems Engineer     205-279-4075       SSC/SSMT
USAF DDN Program Office      AV: 596-4075       Gunter AFB, AL  36114