CIDR Notation
CIDR (Classless Inter-Domain Routing) Notation is a method for representing IP addresses and their associated routing prefix in a compact format, replacing the older classful network addressing system. It allows for flexible allocation of IP addresses by specifying a network address followed by a slash and a prefix length (e.g., 192.168.1.0/24), which defines the number of bits used for the network portion. This notation is fundamental in IP networking for subnetting, routing, and managing IP address spaces efficiently.
Developers should learn CIDR Notation when working with network configuration, cloud infrastructure, or security settings, as it is essential for defining subnets, access control lists, and firewall rules in systems like AWS VPCs, Kubernetes, or on-premises networks. It enables precise control over IP address ranges, reducing waste and improving scalability in modern distributed applications. Understanding CIDR helps in troubleshooting connectivity issues and optimizing resource allocation in IT environments.