1 / 19
Other keys: show •
Space: good •
1-4: rate •
0: skip •
5: flag •
6: invert
Question
Why do network administrators need to understand binary, and what number systems are commonly used in networking?
Answer
Hosts, servers, and routers identify each other using binary addressing, so understanding it is needed to read and troubleshoot addresses. The three systems are binary (base 2), decimal (base 10), and hexadecimal (base 16).
Hosts, servers, and routers use binary addressing - understanding binary helps administrators identify and troubleshoot network issues.
Three number systems used in networking:
| Number System | Base | Digits Used | Common Use |
|---|---|---|---|
| Binary | 2 | 0, 1 | How devices process data |
| Decimal | 10 | 0-9 | Human-readable IPv4 |
| Hexadecimal | 16 | 0-9, A-F | IPv6 and MAC addresses |
Go deeper:
Why Use Binary? — Computerphile — the physical reason digital devices count in two states rather than ten.
Wikipedia — Binary number — base-2 fundamentals that underpin every address a device handles.
Alexander Jones & Eric Pierce · CC BY-SA 3.0 · Wikimedia Commons
or press any other key
Note saved — thanks!