netmask

netmask

(networking)A 32-bit bit mask which shows how an Internet address is to be divided into network, subnet and hostparts. The netmask has ones in the bit positions in the 32-bit address which are to be used for the network and subnetparts, and zeros for the host part. The mask should containat least the standard network portion (as determined by theaddress's class), and the subnet field should be contiguouswith the network portion.

If a `+' (plus sign) is given for the netmask value, then thenetwork number is looked up in the NIS netmasks.byaddr map(or in the /etc/netmasks) file if not running the NIS service.

Unix manual page: ifconfig(8).