
A netmask is a 32-bit mask used to divide an IP address into subnets and specify the networks available hosts. In a netmask, two bits are always automatically assigned. For example, in 255.255.225.0, "0" is the assigned network address; and in 255.255.255.255, "255" is the assigned broadcast address. The 0 and 255 are always assigned and cannot be used.
There are plenty of these netmask references out there, but I prefer my own: hence this Tech...