4.1 IP Network Address

Every Adept controller, workstation, PC, or network router on a network must have a unique Internet Protocol (IP) address. An IP address is a 32-bit number, usually represented in dotted decimal notation, that is stored as part of the network configuration for the device. The IP address can be considered to consist of two portions:

For example, the default IP address for AdeptNet node 1 is 192.168.144.129. The network can be described by the network number 192.168.144.0, and the node by the number 129.

Alternatively, the network number can be 192.168.144.128, and the node number 1. The trade-off here is the number of networks versus the number of nodes in each network. In order to make it clear as to whether network numbers or node numbers are involved, AdeptNet supports the concept of subnet masking.

A subnet mask is a 32-bit number, represented in the same dotted decimal notation as an IP address. The subnet mask is used to indicate which bits of an IP address belong to a network number. The default subnet mask for AdeptNet is 255.255.255.0. This mask implies the former interpretation of the default AdeptNet IP address. (In the second example earlier in this section, the subnet mask 255.255.255.128 was assumed).

There are certain IP addresses that are reserved by convention. Also, if you intend to link your Adept controller(s) and LAN to a public WAN, such as Internet, you need to obtain a registered network number for the purpose. You can get a network ID address from a local Internet provider.

The default IP addresses chosen by Adept are suitable for connection of multiple Adept controllers onto a LAN.