CIDRmerkinnän

CIDRmerkinnän, commonly known as CIDR notation, is a method used in computer networking to specify IP address ranges and subnet masks efficiently. The term originates from "Classless Inter-Domain Routing," a system introduced in the 1990s to improve IP address allocation and routing. Unlike traditional class-based addressing, CIDR allows for more flexible and precise subnetting.

CIDR notation represents an IP address followed by a slash and a number, which indicates the length of the network prefix. For example, 192.168.1.0/24 signifies an IP address range where the first 24 bits are designated for network identification, leaving the remaining bits for host addresses. This notation simplifies the representation of network segments and helps optimize IP address space utilization.

The primary advantage of CIDR is its ability to aggregate multiple IP addresses into a single routing table entry, known as route aggregation or supernetting. This reduces the complexity and size of routing tables, thereby enhancing network efficiency and scalability. CIDR is widely adopted in IPv4 and IPv6 addressing schemes and is fundamental in modern Internet infrastructure.

CIDR notation is also used for defining network policies, configuring firewalls, and managing address blocks in network administration. Its flexibility supports the growth of the Internet by enabling more granular control over address space and routing.

Overall, CIDR merkinnän is a critical concept in networking that provides a concise, flexible, and scalable method for IP address management, contributing to the efficient operation and expansion of the global Internet.