why need netmask 255.255.255.255

[meilinxiaoxue]

I found this mask in 4 case:

1.In route table,for windows,"route print" will have items like this:

destination mask gateway interface

192.168.0.1 255.255.255.255 127.0.0.1 127.0.0.1

2.when dialup pppoe,get an address with netmask 255.255.255.255

3.loopback interface of router can assign

an address with netmask 255.255.255.255

4.when setup ip alias,if the alias is in the same subnet,netmask must be 255.255.255.255

why does it need to be like this?

one more question,if there is a mathine have two ether interface,just as e1 and e2,set e1 as :

192.168.0.1 255.255.255.0,

then set e2 as :

192.168.0.1 255.255.255.255

when some other computers connect through

e2,which netmask should be set?

thx very much

[guruprasadr]

HI, [Pls Rate if HELPS]

The netmask 255.255.255.255 means nothing but /32 address mask.

This /32 address mask is used in case-of Loopback Interface where it can be used as Router ID with Protocols / Management IP Address / any.

/32 means the single IP Address as VALID. In your case 192.168.0.1 255.255.255.255 means only the above IP is valid and no more Network can be expanded with the segment.

Hope I am Informative.

Pls Rate if HELPS

Best Regards,

Guru Prasad R