Fedora Linux

Table 7-1. RFC 1918 private network addresses

Range	Number of addresses available	Class-based address breakdown
10.0.0.0 10.255.255.255	16,777,216	1 class A network of 16,777,216 addresses
172.16.0.0 172.31.255.255	1,048,576	16 class B networks of 65,536 addresses each
192.168.0.0 192.168.255.255	65,536	256 class C networks of 256 addresses each

Most small networks use one of the class C networks that start with the 192.168 prefix, yielding 256 addresses. Because two addresses are reserved for broadcast and network messages, that leaves 254 addresses for computers and network devices (such as printers), which is plenty for most homes and small businesses.

DHCP can assign any combination of two address types:

static

Addresses that are always assigned to a specific computer or network device and never change. Even though these do not change, they are still communicated to the device using the DHCP protocol. Static addresses should be used for any host that other users will need to connect to, such as a web server or printer.

dynamic

Addresses assigned from a pool on a first-come, first-serve basis. Dynamic addresses are appropriate for computers, such as desktop systems, which will be connecting to remote hosts but will never (or rarely) be a destination for network connections.

Table 7-2 shows a possible network configuration for a home or small office network that will use the network prefix 192.168.1. In this example, available addresses have been divided into four ranges, one each for servers, network devices, desktop and laptop systems, and network infrastructure.

Table 7-2. Example of a small-office network configuration

Address range and purpose	Host address	Name and description	Notes
	0	Network	Reserved address
1-63 Servers	1	prime (nameserver, web server)	Traditional nameserver address
	2	cabinet (Samba fileserver)
	3	chatterbox (Asterisk phone system)
	3-63	Future use
64-127 Network devices(non-computers)	64	laser1	Main laser printer
	65	multifunction1	Printer-scanner-copier
	66	webcam1	Monitors front door
	67-127	Future use
128-191 Desktop and laptop systems