05

INTERNATIONAL SCIENTIFIC CONFERENCE

24 25 November 2005, GABROVO

WEB APPLICATION FOR DISTANCE LEARNING IP ADDRESSING

dr Nenad Jovanovi
Advanced Business School Kosovo Polje
(Blace)

mr Branislav Jevtovic
Advanced Business School Kosovo Polje

dr Ranko Popovi
Faculty of Technical Sciences, University of Pritina
(Kosovska Mitrovica)

mr Suzana Markovic
Advanced Business School Kosovo Polje

Abstract
With the fast development of computer networks, people can access information and communicate with others without
being constrained by space and time. Through network communications, people can discuss things with others to solve their
problems. In this paper we present a tool for teaching and learning IP addressing via Internet. This application is written in
Java programming language, and this can be used as a component in distance learning process for computer network,
especially for practice IP address..
Keywords: TCP/IP, IP addressing, Java, e-learning, Internet, distance learning, computer networks.

INTRODUCTION
In this study we have explained how does a
Web application, based on Java, can be used as a
component in the process of distance education
concerning computer networks, all regarding
work with IP address.
With the swift development of information
technologies, people are in the position to access
information without time and space limits [1].
When there is such a possibility special attention
is given to accessing educational contents via
Internet or intranet [2]. The Internet allows the
process of learning, even when the teacher and
student are physically apart (distance learning)
[3]. A large number of educational facilities and
other organizations (Microsoft, CISCO Systems)
have there own systems of distance learning,
which allows the students possibility of learning
and testing [4] via Internet.
IEEE (Institute of Electrical and Electronics
Engineers) this society offers a new service for
its members the name of the service is Distance
Learning Campus. There is over 100 different
training courses founded on the Web which cover
different computer programs.
IP ADDRESSING
Internet protocol (IP) is one of two main
protocols (the second is TCP) used in connecting
computer networks, where the main goal is that a

group of operations used in communication and

data transfer stays independent from network
technology and computer equipment consisting
that network.
IP protocol is a unreliable protocol without
making a connection (connectionless) and is
responsible for addressing and directing packages
in-between different networks.
We say that one computer network gives an
universal communication service if it allows each
computer in the network to communicate with
any other computer in the network. To make this
possible, each computer need a system for
identification, witch would be accepted by all.
Each computer in the network can be identified
by name, address and route. The name identifies
what does a certain object represent, the address
identifies where it is, and the route show us how
to get to the object. For a human being its natural
to identify computers by name, while in a virtual
environment as the Internet, which is completely
implemented software-wise, it is more efficient to
represent identificator in binary address mode,
because it enables an efficient way to choose the
best communication path.
Internet address, or IP address, is a 32-bit
number which is to be written as four 8-bit
numbers separated by point, whereby the 8-bit
numbers are to be presented as decimals. For
example, 192.101.121.6.

There are following kinds of IP addresses:

Static address
Subscribed manually by network
administrator,
They are used in small range networks,
They require careful assignment and
verification to avoid the repetition.
Dynamic address (BOOTP, DHCP)
Represented by server when the host is
to boot,
Subscribed from the corresponding
range of address,
At the expiry of rented time, address is
returned to the server.
Internet addresses are being qualified as
classes A, B, C, D and E.
IP address is consisted from two parts: the
network part (NetID) and HostID. The NetID part
uniquely identify the network and the HostID
indicates the address of the node on the network.
7

Class D address are designated for multicast,

they are not to be used for addressing individual
computers. The first number in the address should
be in range from 224-239.
Class E addresses are used in experimental
cases. The first number in the address should be
in range from 240-255.
Several addresses are reserved for special
purposes.
HostID could never be 0. If all bits in
HostID are even to zero, then the said IP
address is used for indicating the
network.
HostID could never be 1. If all bits of
HostID are even to one, then the package
should be delivered in diffusing manner
to all computers in network and the
above mentioned address is to be called
broadcast address.
First address in every network (grade)
represents the network address, and the last
address is reserved for broadcast address.
In every grade there is a certain number of
addresses which are not to be delivered and
which are to be called private addresses. Private
addresses are shown in next chart:

NetId

NetId

NetId

Multicast address

10.0.0.0 -

10.255.255.255

Reserved for the future use

172.16.0.0 -

172.31.255.255

192.168.0.0 -

192.168.255.255

15

23

31

HostId

HostId

HostId

Figure 1. Classes of IP addresses

Different types of IP classes are defined in

order to fulfill needs of different extents of
networks.
Class A IP addresses have 7 bits reserved for
NetID and 24 bits for HostID. They are
designated for very large networks and can
identify 16777214 (224-2) computers in 126 (27-2)
networks. The first number in class A addresses
could be a number from 1 to 126.
Class B addresses are mid-ranged. They are
suitable for midrange and large organizations.
Network identification could be done with 14
bits, and network nodes are identified with 16
nodes. These addresses can identify 65534 (2 162) computers in network. The first number in IP
address should be in range from 128 to 191.
Class C address is using 21 bit for NetID, and
8 bits for HostID. These addresses are designated
for small networks and they can identify 254 (2 82) computers in network. The first number in
class C IP address should be in range from 192223.

Table 1. Private IP addresses

IP network could be divided into smaller

networks, called subnetworks (subnets). The
division of network into subnetworks is enabling
larger flexibility and more efficient use of IP
addresses. For example, the network with the
network address 172.16.0.0 could be divided into
subnetworks
with
addresses:
172.16.1.0,
172.16.2.0, 172.16.3.0, 172.16.4.0
The subnet address is created by using bits
from HostID fields as subnet fields. The number
of borrowed bits is variable and is determined by
subnets mask.
The way to use bits from HostID field for
creating subnets address field are presented on
picture 2.
1

NetId

NetId

HostId

NetId

NetId

SubNet

HostId

HostId

Figure 2. Creating subnets address field

The subnets mask is using the same format

and the same manner of representation as IP
address. The subnet mask contains number 1 in
the position of all bits belonging to NetID and
SubNet fields, and contains 0 in all bits belonging
to HostID fields.
How is the network to be segmented?
The procedure of realization of sub networks
requires previous analysis of following questions:
How many addresses are needed for
networks segments? (Network segments
is an entity separated from other entity
by a router).
How many network segments will be
needed in future?
What is the maximum number of hosts
on the largest segment?
What will be future hosts needs in any of
the segments?
The calculation of IP addresses and hosts on it,
as well as broadcast address could be easily done
by using the following chart [5]:
Number
of bits
Increment
value
Subnet
mask
Number
of
networks

128

64

32

16

128

192

224

240

248

252

254

255

14

30

62

126

254

IPadress
- address: String
- octetI: int
- octetII: int
- octetIII: int
- octetIV: int
+ IPadresc()
+ IPadresc(String adr)
+ returnClass(): String
+ displayBinary(): String
+ netAddress(): String
+ subnetAddress(): String
+ returnDecimalAddress( String): String
+ returnMask( ): String
+ returnBitMask( ): int
+ returnScope( int n, String mask): String
+ broadcastAdress (): String

Figure 3. Java class of IP address

WEB APLICATION AS A COMPONENT OF

DISTANCE LEARNING
Web application which is enabling dealing
with IP addresses is shown on Figure 4.
When starting application (Figure 4), the
window showing the goal of the practice is
appearing:
Introduction to characteristics and of IP
addresses grade,
Definition of NetID and HostId,
Identification of IP address scope,
Definition of available IP address scope,
Definition of subnets mask in given
circumstances,
Definition of subnet addresses and
broadcast addresses.

Table 2. The calculation of IP addresses

Therefore, the possible number of networks is

2n-2, where n is representing the number of bits
detracted from the host part.
THE MODEL OF IP ADDRESS
IP address is modeled with Java grade called
IP address and that is shown on picture 3. Grade
is containing private address fields, octetI, octetII,
octetIII and octetIII, as well as methods enabling
working with IP addresses, networks and sub
networks addresses.

Random
IP address

Statistics

Figure 4. Creating subnets address field

In addition, by starting the application, a

random IP address is generated. Its position is in
web browsers upper part. For generated IP
address it is necessary to answer a propounded
question. Answers should be entered in proper
fields for entering text (Figure 5). After entering

any answer, there is an automatic statistics of

correct and incorrect answers, which is also
summing the percentage of efficiency.

conclusion is that 6 bits should be borrowed from

the host part. According to Table 2, the mask for
6 bits is 252, or to be more precise the subnets
mask will be 255.255.255.252.
In part three (Figure 7) it is necessary to fill
the table with several valid subnet addresses.
Also, one should define the scope of useful
addresses for every subnet and broadcast
addresses.

Fields for
text input

Figure 5. Web aplication the first part

Work with IP addresses is divided into four

parts. In part, it is necessary to answer questions
regarding the given IP address (Figure 5). It is
necessary to write down the binary code of the
address, to define address scope, the extent of the
first octet of given IP address scope, considered
subnets mask and network address.
In this example, there is a randomly generated
address which is a part of grade C:
194.143.241.133. This IP address is having place
in network with the following address:
194.143.241.0. The defaults network mask of
grade C is: 255.255.255.0.
In the second part of the exercise (Figure 6) it
is necessary to define how many data bits should
be borrowed from the host part, so that the given
network address could be divided into a
distinctive number of subnets. Then, it is
necessary to define the subnets mask and to
show the subnets mask in binary form.

Figure 7. Web aplication the third part

The possible numbers of subnets in this

examples (according to defined formula: 2n-2):
26-2=62.
In part four (Figure 8) it is necessary to fill the
table. In every row of the chart randomly are
generated IP address and subnet mask, and the
user should calculate the subnet and to fill it in
appropriate field. The calculation of the network
is simplified by using Table 2.

Figure 8. Web aplication the fourth part

Figure 6. Web aplication the second part

In this example, the task is to divide the

network into 38 sub networks. Since 26=64, the

In the specific example shown on Figure 8. the

first generated IP address is 67.232.240.88 and
the subnet mask is 255.255.224.0. Which subnet
is this address part of?
According to the subnet mask we can conclude
the following (applying Table 2): there is 6
subnets, and the increment for each is 32. The

address of first subnet is 67.232.64.0, the second

one 67.232.96.0, etc. and the address of the last
subnet will be 67.232.224.0. Therefore, we can
conclude that our randomly generated IP address
belongs to subnet 67.232.224.0. This value is to
be written in appropriate fields on Figure 8.
In conclusion, it should be added that this
laboratory exercise in future segments could be
extend by involving the method VLSM (Variable
Length Subnet Masking) method which is
giving the subnetworking opportunity with
implementation of new networks with different
subnet masks.
CONCLUSION
The
fast
growing
development
of
technological achievements and possibilities as a
result of informatics era, are carrying new
conducting standards in all areas, including
education.
The educational system should be readjusted
and should enable new forms of education which
could facilitate students to participate in course
without any additional expenses, by using
technological achievements. Students are not
going to be handicapped due to fact that they
were not physically present in the class. Many
educational institutions are therefore expanding
the e-learning program.

Internet
has
become
a
dominant
communication media, accessible to a large

number of people, enabling them to satisfy their

needs, including the domain of education.
In this paper is describing the possibility of
showing educational contents through web
technology.
REFERENCES
[1] N.Jovanovi, R.Popovi, Z.Jovanovi, Defining a
General Object Model of Distributed Systems Entities
in Java, Facta Univ. Ser.: Elec. Energ., vol. 16, No. 2,
August 2003, pp. 185-194
[2] N.Jovanovi, R.Popovi, Z.Jovanovi,
Modeling
Synchronous Comunication in Java, Journal of the
Technical University of Gabrovo, vol.28, 2003, pp. 7781.
[3] N. Jovanovi, R.Popovi, Simulator raunarske mree
zasnovan na web-u, INFOFEST, pp.117-123, Budva,
2004.
[4] R.Stankovi, R.Popovi, N.Jovanovi, S.Markovi,
I.Stankovi, A Strategy for Realization of Distance
Learning System, International Scientific Conference
UNITECH, pp. I-331 - I-335, Gabrovo, 2004
[5] Brian Komar, Teach Yourself TCP/IP Network
Administration in 21 Days, SAMS Publishing, 2000.