I am new to networking and am confused. Don't know exactly what I want to ask but here goes-
I have a DSL modem with the ip 192.168.1.1 and a wireless router with the address 192.168.0.1
They are working together flawlessly. My question is what is the significance of the next to the last number in the octet. (specifically the "0" and the "1" respectively) is this the number that represents the piece of hardware, and if I added another piece of hardware , a printer for example, could I use 192.168.2.1 for the IP? Also if the next to the last # represents the hardware does the last # represent the network?
As I said I am confused, could some one straighten me out?

Any of these numbers can change 192.168.1 but the very last number is for devices and computers. Your DSL modem setup a network of 192.168.1.X. You could have just added a wireless access point and the DSL modem probably would have assigned a 192.168.1.X number to your next device and so on. But you added a wireless router which probably has a 192.168.1.X (maybe .2 or .100) for the WAN IP Address now. So the router has made another seperate network called 192.168.0.X now. That is ok; everything will still work. The next device you hook up to this wireless router will now be assigned a 192.168.0.X IP. Do not change the X in this IP address for example 192.168.X.100. You will assign the device to another network and your devices will not be able to see each other. These first three set of numbers is for separating networks (partioning) X.X.X.1. Just make sure all your devices from now on are assigned a 192.168.0.X IP and you will be fine. Anyways the Router should have DHCP enable and that auto assigns IP addresses to your devices that connect to it. Hope I explained this well and hope it helps. Good Luck and Godspeed my friend.

Kevin

Yea, think of it as a address but like
192.168.1.1
USA.Maryland.Joppatowne.1313 mockingbird lane

192.168.0.1
USA.Maryland.Baltimore.1313 mockingbird lane

192.168.0.1 - 192.168.0.254 = 255 addresses
192.168.1.1 - 192.168.1.254 = 255 different addresses

Great analogy, D2DGeek. Great Example.

A networking guru told me that years ago, after that it made some sence

I am not going to say take the exam, but read this guide and it will help a LOT.

http://www.proprofs.com/mwiki/index.php?title=Comptia_Network%2B_Study_Guide

Goldduster...

Depends on the subnet mask. If its /24 or 255.255.255.0 then the 255's correspond to the "network" part and the 0 corresponds to the "host" device you mentioned, printer-pc-etc...

On a side note.... re your DSL setup, is it solid? Or does it seem to have intermittent connectivity issues?
The reason I ask is because around here (mid michigan) we have ATT and Verizon for DSL. If you leave their modem (really a 1 port router) in normal mode (with a private IP 192.168 etc) then you are technically double Natting with your linksys router. We have seen this work and its common, but whenever we run into this the customer almost always says his connection is kind of flakey. We try and follow correct network standards when we can so we usually put the DSL modem in "Bridged mode" then have the actual linksys router do the PPPOE authentication instead. Whenever we do this, customers always say their connection is much, much more solid.
Just a tip.

ps. That is a great analogy D2D! Several years ago I when doing my Cisco certs, I found their method of learning IP addressing very hard, with binary anding etc... I wrote a paper called "How to subnet in your head" and I think it helps a little. Some colleges actually asked me if they could use it! hehe. Its only a couple page document. I'll dig it up and post it in the forum.

Terry