What is an octet in the context of an IP address?

An octet refers to a group of eight bits, and in the context of an IP address, it represents the division of the address into four segments, with each segment containing eight bits. This structure is crucial for understanding how IP addresses work because each segment, or octet, can have a decimal value ranging from 0 to 255. This means an IP address in the most common format (IPv4) is expressed as four decimal numbers separated by periods (for example, 192.168.1.1), with each of the numbers representing an octet.

Recognizing octets in an IP address is essential for networking, as it directly impacts subnetting, routing, and addressing schemes. Understanding this concept lays the foundation for grasping more complex networking topics, such as how devices communicate within a network or across the internet.