18/2/2020 Introduction to Networks - Binary Number System

 Introduction to Networks /  5 - Number Systems /  5.1 - Binary Number System

Binary Number System

5.1.1

Binary and IPv4 Addresses 

IPv4 addresses begin as binary, a series of only 1s and 0s. These are dicult to manage, so network
administrators must convert them to decimal. This topic shows you a few ways to do this.

Binary is a numbering system that consists of the digits 0 and 1 called bits. In contrast, the decimal
numbering system consists of 10 digits consisting of the digits 0 – 9.

Binary is important for us to understand because hosts, servers, and network devices use binary
addressing. Specically, they use binary IPv4 addresses, as shown in the gure, to identify each other.

11010001.10100101.11001000.11100001

11000000.10101000.00001010.00000001 11000000.10101000.00001011.00000001

PC1 PC2
G0/0/0 G0/0/1
11000000.10101000.00001010.00001010 11000000.10101000.00001011.00001010

LAN A Network Address

11000000.10101000.00001010.00000000 /24 11000

https://contenthub.netacad.com/itn/5.1.4 1/12
18/2/2020 Introduction to Networks - Binary Number System

Each address consists of a string of 32 bits, divided into four sections called octets. Each octet contains 8
bits (or 1 byte) separated with a dot. For example, PC1 in the gure is assigned IPv4 address
11000000.10101000.00001010.00001010. Its default gateway address would be that of R1 Gigabit
Ethernet interface 11000000.10101000.00001010.00000001.

Binary works well with hosts and network devices. However, it is very challenging for humans to work with.

For ease of use by people, IPv4 addresses are commonly expressed in dotted decimal notation. PC1 is
assigned the IPv4 address 192.168.10.10, and its default gateway address is 192.168.10.1, as shown in
the gure.

209.165.200.225

192.168.10.1 192.168.11.1

PC1 PC2
G0/0/0 G0/0/1
192.168.10.10 192.168.11.10

LAN A Network Address

192.168.10.0 /24

For a solid understanding of network addressing, it is necessary to know binary addressing and gain
practical skills converting between binary and dotted decimal IPv4 addresses. This section will cover how
to convert between base two (binary) and base 10 (decimal) numbering systems.

5.1.2

Video - Converting Between Binary and 

Decimal Numbering Systems

Click Play in the gure for a video demonstrating how to convert between binary and decimal numbering
systems.

https://contenthub.netacad.com/itn/5.1.4 2/12
18/2/2020 Introduction to Networks - Binary Number System

Asset component called without an ID

5.1.3

Binary Positional Notation 

Learning to convert binary to decimal requires an understanding of positional notation. Positional notation
means that a digit represents dierent values depending on the “position” the digit occupies in the
sequence of numbers. You already know the most common numbering system, the decimal (base 10)
notation system.

The decimal positional notation system operates as described in the table.

Radix 10 10 10 10

Position in Number 3 2 1 0

Calculate (103) (102) (101) (100)

Position value 1000 100 10 1

The following bullets describe each row of the table.

Row 1, Radix is the number base. Decimal notation is based on 10, therefore the radix is 10.
Row 2, Position in number considers the position of the decimal number starting with, from right to left,
0 (1st position), 1 (2nd position), 2 (3rd position), 3 (4th position). These numbers also represent the
https://contenthub.netacad.com/itn/5.1.4 3/12
18/2/2020 Introduction to Networks - Binary Number System

exponential value use to calculate the positional value in the 4th row.
Row 3 calculates the positional value by taking the radix and raising it by the exponential value of its
position in row 2.
Note: n0 is = 1.
Row 4 positional value represents units of thousands, hundreds, tens, and ones.

To use the positional system, match a given number to its positional value. The example in the table
illustrates how positional notation is used with the decimal number 1234.

Thousands Hundreds Tens Ones

Positional Value 1000 100 10 1

Decimal Number (1234) 1 2 3 4

Calculate 1 x 1000 2 x 100 3 x 10 4x1

Add them up… 1000 + 200 + 30 +4

Result 1,234

In contrast, the binary positional notation operates as described in the table.

Radix 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2

Position in Number 7 6 5 4 3 2 1 0

Calculate (27) (26) (25) (24) (23) (22) (21) (20)

Position value 128 64 32 16 8 4 2 1

The following bullets describe each row of the table.

Row 1, Radix is the number base. Binary notation is based on 2, therefore the radix is 2.
Row 2, Position in number considers the position of the binary number starting with, from right to left, 0
(1st position), 1 (2nd position), 2 (3rd position), 3 (4th position). These numbers also represent the
exponential value use to calculate the positional value in the 4th row.
Row 3 calculates the positional value by taking the radix and raising it by the exponential value of its
position in row 2.
Note: n0 is = 1.
Row 4 positional value represents units of ones, twos, fours, eights, etc.

The example in the table illustrates how a binary number 11000000 corresponds to the number 192. If the
binary number had been 10101000, then the corresponding decimal number would be 168.

Positional Value 128 64 32 16 8 4 2

Binary Number (11000000) 1 1 0 0 0 0 0

Calculate 1 x 128 1 x 64 0 x 32 0 x 16 0x8 0x4 0x2

https://contenthub.netacad.com/itn/5.1.4 4/12
18/2/2020 Introduction to Networks - Binary Number System

Positional Value 128 64 32 16 8 4 2

Add Them Up.. 128 + 64 +0 +0 +0 +0 +0

Result 192

v7.0

 Introduction to Networks
5.1.4

Check Your Understanding - Binary Number 

System

Check your understanding of binary number system by choosing the BEST answer to the following
questions.

1. Which is the binary equivalent to the 192.168.11.10 IP address?

 You got it!

11000000.11000000.00001011.00001010

11000000.10101000.00001011.00001010

11000000.10101000.00001010.00001011

11000000.10101000.00001011.00010010

2. Which of the following is the binary equivalent to the 172.16.31.30 IP address?

 You got it!

11000000.00010000.00011111.000111110

10101000.00010000.00011111.000111110

10101100.00010000.00011110.000111110

10101100.00010000.00011111.000111110

Check Show Me

Reset

https://contenthub.netacad.com/itn/5.1.4 5/12
18/2/2020 Introduction to Networks - Binary Number System

5.1.5

Convert Binary to Decimal 

To convert a binary IPv4 address to its dotted decimal equivalent, divide the IPv4 address into four 8-bit
octets. Next apply the binary positional value to the rst octet binary number and calculate accordingly.

For example, consider that 11000000.10101000.00001011.00001010 is the binary IPv4 address of a host.
To convert the binary address to decimal, start with the rst octet, as shown in the table. Enter the 8-bit
binary number under the positional value of row 1 and then calculate to produce the decimal number 192.
This number goes into the rst octet of the dotted decimal notation.

Positional Value 128 64 32 16 8 4 2 1

Binary Number (11000000) 1 1 0 0 0 0 0 0

Calculate 128 64 32 16 8 4 2 1

Add Them Up... 128 + 64 +0 +0 +0 +0 +0 +0

Result 192

Next convert the second octet of 10101000 as shown in the table. The resulting decimal value is 168, and
it goes into the second octet.

Positional Value 128 64 32 16 8 4 2 1

Binary Number (10101000) 1 0 1 0 1 0 0 0

Calculate 128 64 32 16 8 4 2 1

Add Them Up... 128 +0 + 32 +0 +8 +0 +0 +0

Result 168

Convert the third octet of 00001011 as shown in the table.

Positional Value 128 64 32 16 8 4 2 1

Binary Number (00001011) 0 0 0 0 1 0 1 1

Calculate 128 64 32 16 8 4 2 1

Add Them Up... 0 +0 +0 +0 +8 +0 +2 +1

Result 11

https://contenthub.netacad.com/itn/5.1.4 6/12
18/2/2020 Introduction to Networks - Binary Number System

Convert the fourth octet of 00001010 as shown in the table. This completes the IP address and produces
192.168.11.10.

Positional Value 128 64 32 16 8 4 2 1

Binary Number (00001010) 0 0 0 0 1 0 1 0

Calculate 128 64 32 16 8 4 2 1

Add Them Up... 0 +0 +0 +0 +8 +0 +2 +0

Result 10

5.1.6

Activity - Binary to Decimal Conversions 

Instructions

This activity allows you to practice 8-bit binary to decimal conversion as much as necessary. We
recommend that you work with this tool until you are able to do the conversion without error. Convery the
binary number shown in the octet to its decimal value.

Enter decimal answer below.

Decimal Value

Base 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2

Exponent 7 6 5 4 3 2 1 0

Position 128 64 32 16 8 4 2 1

Bit 1 0 1 0 1 1 0 0

Binary number.

Check New Number Show Me Reset

5.1.7

https://contenthub.netacad.com/itn/5.1.4 7/12
18/2/2020 Introduction to Networks - Binary Number System

Decimal to Binary Conversion 

It is also necessary to understand how to convert a dotted decimal IPv4 address to binary. A useful tool is
the binary positional value table.

Click each position starting at 128 and work your way from left to right to the 1 position.

128 64 32 16 8 4 2 1

Is the decimal number of the octet (n) equal to or greater than the most-signicant bit (128)?

If no, then enter binary 0 in the 128 positional value.

If yes, then add a binary 1 in the 128 positional value and subtract 128 from the decimal number.

No Yes
n >= 128

128 64 32 16 8 4 2 1

Positional Value

  

5.1.8

https://contenthub.netacad.com/itn/5.1.4 8/12
18/2/2020 Introduction to Networks - Binary Number System

Decimal to Binary Conversion Example 

To help understand the process, consider the IP address 192.168.11.10.

The rst octet number 192 is converted to binary using the previously explained positional notation
process.

It is possible to bypass the process of subtraction with easier or smaller decimal numbers. For instance,
notice that it is fairly easy to calculate the third octet converted to a binary number without actually going
through the subtraction process (8 + 2 = 10). The binary value of the third octet is 00001010.

The fourth octet is 11 (8 + 2 + 1). The binary value of the fourth octet is 00001011.

Converting between binary and decimal may seem challenging at rst, but with practice it should become
easier over time.

Click each step to see the conversion of the IP address of 192.168.10.11 into binary.

Step Step Step Step Step Step Step Step Step

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9

Is the rst octet number 192 equal to or greater than the high-order bit 128?

Yes it is, therefore add a 1 to the high-order positional value to a represent 128.
Subtract 128 from 192 to produce a remainder of 64.

Yes
Example: 192.168.10.11 192 >= 128

Positional Value

https://contenthub.netacad.com/itn/5.1.4 9/12
18/2/2020 Introduction to Networks - Binary Number System

  

5.1.9

Activity - Decimal to Binary Conversions 

Instructions

This activity allows you to practice decimal conversion to 8-bit binary values. We recommend that you
work with this tool until you are able to do the conversion without error. Convert the decimal number shown
in the Decimal Value row to its binary bits.

Decimal Value 50

Base 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2

Exponent 7 6 5 4 3 2 1 0

Position 128 64 32 16 8 4 2 1

Bit

Check New Number Show Me Reset

5.1.10

Activity - Binary Game 

This is a fun way to learn binary numbers for networking.

https://contenthub.netacad.com/itn/5.1.4 10/12
18/2/2020 Introduction to Networks - Binary Number System

Game Link: https://learningnetwork.cisco.com/docs/DOC-1803

You will need to log in to cisco.com to use this link. It will be necessary to create an account if you do not
already have one.

Mobile Download: https://learningnetwork.cisco.com/docs/DOC-11119

5.1.11

IPv4 Addresses 

As mentioned in the beginning of this topic, routers and computers only understand binary, while humans
work in decimal. It is important for you to gain a thorough understanding of these two numbering systems
and how they are used in networking.

Click each button to contrast the dotted decimal address and the 32-bit address.

Dotted Decimal Address Octets 32-bit Address

192.168.10.10 is an IP address that is assigned to a computer.

192 . 168 . 10 . 10

11000000 10101000 00001010 00001010

  

 
5.0 5.2
Introduction Hexadecimal Number System

https://contenthub.netacad.com/itn/5.1.4 11/12
18/2/2020 Introduction to Networks - Binary Number System

https://contenthub.netacad.com/itn/5.1.4 12/12
18/2/2020 Introduction to Networks - Hexadecimal Number System

 Introduction to Networks /  5 - Number Systems /  5.2 - Hexadecimal Number System

Hexadecimal Number System

5.2.1

Hexadecimal and IPv6 Addresses 

Now you know how to convert binary to decimal and decimal to binary. You need that skill to understand
IPv4 addressing in your network. But you are just as likely to be using IPv6 addresses in your network. To
understand IPv6 addresses, you must be able to convert hexadecimal to decimal and vice versa.

Just as decimal is a base ten number system, hexadecimal is a base sixteen system. The base sixteen
number system uses the digits 0 to 9 and the letters A to F. The gure shows the equivalent decimal and
hexadecimal values for binary 0000 to 1111.

Decimal Binary

https://contenthub.netacad.com/itn/5.2.5 1/6
18/2/2020 Introduction to Networks - Hexadecimal Number System

Binary and hexadecimal work well together because it is easier to express a value as a
single hexadecimal digit than as four binary bits.

The hexadecimal numbering system is used in networking to represent IP Version 6 addresses and

Ethernet MAC addresses.

IPv6 addresses are 128 bits in length and every 4 bits is represented by a single hexadecimal digit; for a
total of 32 hexadecimal values. IPv6 addresses are not case-sensitive and can be written in either
lowercase or uppercase.

As shown in the gure, the preferred format for writing an IPv6 address is x:x:x:x:x:x:x:x, with each “x”
consisting of four hexadecimal values. When referring to 8 bits of an IPv4 address we use the term octet.
In IPv6, a hextet is the unocial term used to refer to a segment of 16 bits or four hexadecimal values.
Each “x” is a single hextet, 16 bits, or four hexadecimal digits.

X : X : X : X : X : X : X : X

0000 0000 0000 0000 0000 0000 0000 0000

: : : : : : :
       

to to to to to to

0000 0000 0000 0000

1111 1111 1111 1111 4 hexadecimal digits =

The sample topology in the gure displays IPv6 hexadecimal addresses.

https://contenthub.netacad.com/itn/5.2.5 2/6
18/2/2020 Introduction to Networks - Hexadecimal Number System

5.2.2

Video - Converting Between Hexadecimal 

and Decimal Numbering Systems

Click Play in the video to see how to convert between hexadecimal and decimal numbering systems.

Asset component called without an ID

5.2.3

Decimal to Hexadecimal Conversions 

Converting decimal numbers to hexadecimal values is straightforward. Follow the steps listed:

1. Convert the decimal number to 8-bit binary strings.

2. Divide the binary strings in groups of four starting from the rightmost position.

https://contenthub.netacad.com/itn/5.2.5 3/6
18/2/2020 Introduction to Networks - Hexadecimal Number System

3. Convert each four binary numbers into their equivalent hexadecimal digit.

The example provides the steps for converting 168 to hexadecimal.

For example, 168 converted into hex using the three-step process.

1. 168 in binary is 10101000.

2. 10101000 in two groups of four binary digits is 1010 and 1000.
3. 1010 is hex A and 1000 is hex 8.

Answer: 168 is A8 in hexadecimal.

5.2.4

Hexadecimal to Decimal Conversion 

Converting hexadecimal numbers to decimal values is also straightforward. Follow the steps listed:

1. Convert the hexadecimal number to 4-bit binary strings.

2. Create 8-bit binary grouping starting from the rightmost position.
3. Convert each 8-bit binary grouping into their equivalent decimal digit.

This example provides the steps for converting D2 to decimal.

1. D2 in 4-bit binary strings is 1101 and 0010.

2. 1101 and 0010 is 11010010 in an 8-bit grouping.
3. 11010010 in binary is equivalent to 210 in decimal.

Answer: D2 in hexadecimal is 210 in decimal.

5.2.5

Check Your Understanding - Hexadecimal 

Number System

Check your understanding of hexadecimal number system by choosing the BEST answer to the
following questions.
https://contenthub.netacad.com/itn/5.2.5 4/6
18/2/2020 Introduction to Networks - Hexadecimal Number System

1. Which is the hexadecimal equivalent of 202?

 You got it!

B10

BA

C10
v7.0

CA
 Introduction to Networks
2. Which is the hexadecimal equivalent of 254?

 You got it!

EA

ED

FA

FE

3. Which is the decimal equivalent of A9?

 You got it!

168

169

170

171

4. Which of the following is the decimal equivalent of 7D?

 You got it!

124

125

126

127

Check Show Me
https://contenthub.netacad.com/itn/5.2.5 5/6
18/2/2020 Introduction to Networks - Hexadecimal Number System

Reset

 
5.1 5.3
Binary Number System Module Practice and Quiz

https://contenthub.netacad.com/itn/5.2.5 6/6
18/2/2020 Introduction to Networks - Module Practice and Quiz

 Introduction to Networks /  5 - Number Systems /  5.3 - Module Practice and Quiz

Module Practice and Quiz

5.3.1

What did I learn in this module? 

Binary Number System

Binary is a numbering system that consists of the numbers 0 and 1 called bits. In contrast, the decimal
numbering system consists of 10 digits consisting of the numbers 0 – 9. Binary is important for us to
understand because hosts, servers, and network devices use binary addressing, specically, binary IPv4
addresses, to identify each other. You must know binary addressing and how to convert between binary
and dotted decimal IPv4 addresses. This topic presented a few ways to convert decimal to binary and
binary to decimal.

Hexadecimal Number System

Just as decimal is a base ten number system, hexadecimal is a base sixteen system. The base sixteen
number system uses the numbers 0 to 9 and the letters A to F. The hexadecimal numbering system is used
in networking to represent IPv6 addresses and Ethernet MAC addresses. IPv6 addresses are 128 bits in
length and every 4 bits is represented by a single hexadecimal digit; for a total of 32 hexadecimal values.
To convert hexadecimal to decimal, you must rst convert the hexadecimal to binary, then convert the
binary to decimal. To convert decimal to hexadecimal, you must also rst convert the decimal to binary.

5.3.2

Module Quiz - Number Systems 

https://contenthub.netacad.com/itn/5.3.2 1/6
18/2/2020 Introduction to Networks - Module Practice and Quiz

1. What is the binary representation for the decimal number 173?

 Topic 5.1.0 - decimal 173 = 128 + 0 + 32 + 0 + 8 + 4 + 0 + 1

10100111

10100101

10101101

10110101

2. Given the binary address of 11101100 00010001 00001100 00001010, which address does this
represent in dotted decimal format?

 Topic 5.1.0 - The binary number 11101100 00010001 00001100 00001010

translates to 236.17.12.10.

234.17.10.9

234.16.12.10

236.17.12.6

236.17.12.10

3. How many binary bits exist within an IPv6 address?

 Topic 5.2.0 - IPv4 addressing space is exhausted by the rapid growth of the
Internet and the devices connected to the Internet. IPv6 expands the IP addressing
space by increasing the address length from 32 bits to 128 bits.

32

48

64

128

256

4. What is the binary equivalent of the decimal number 232?

 Topic 5.1.0 - 232 in binary is 11101000. 128+64+32+8 = 232

11101000

11000110

10011000

11110010
https://contenthub.netacad.com/itn/5.3.2 2/6
18/2/2020 Introduction to Networks - Module Practice and Quiz

5. Which two statements are correct about IPv4 and IPv6 addresses? (Choose two.)

 Topic 5.2.0 - IPv4 addresses are represented as dotted decimal numbers and are
32 bits in length. IPv6 addresses are represented by hexadecimal numbers and are
128 bits in length.

 IPv6 addresses are represented by hexadecimal numbers.

IPv4 addresses are represented by hexadecimal numbers.

IPv6 addresses are 32 bits in length.

 IPv4 addresses are 32 bits in length.

IPv4 addresses are 128 bits in length.

IPv6 addresses are 64 bits in length.

6. Which IPv4 address format was created for ease of use by people and is expressed as
201.192.1.14?

 Topic 5.1.0 - For ease of use by people, binary patterns are represented as dotted
decimal. Computer systems were created to understand binary addressing.

binary

dotted decimal

hexadecimal

ASCII

7. What is the dotted decimal representation of the IPv4 address

11001011.00000000.01110001.11010011?

 Topic 5.1.0 - Each section (octet) contains eight binary digits. Each digit
represents a specic value (128, 64, 32, 16, 8, 4, 2, and 1). Everywhere there is a 1,
the specic value is relevant. Add all relevant values in a particular octet to obtain the
decimal value. For example binary 11001011 equals 203 in decimal.

192.0.2.199

198.51.100.201

203.0.113.211

209.165.201.223

8. What is the decimal equivalent of the binary number 10010101?

 Topic 5.1.0 - Binary 10010101 maps to 149 in decimal. 128+16+4+1 = 149

https://contenthub.netacad.com/itn/5.3.2 3/6
18/2/2020 Introduction to Networks - Module Practice and Quiz

149

157

168

192

9. What is the decimal equivalent of the hex number 0x3F?

 Topic 5.2.0 - Hex 0x3F is 63 in decimal.

(3*16)+(15*1) = 63

63

77

87

93

v7.0
10. What is the dotted decimal representation of the IPv4 address which is represented as the binary
Introduction to Networks
string 00001010.01100100.00010101.00000001?

 Topic 5.1.0 - Converting the binary string of

00001010.01100100.00010101.00000001 to dotted decimal gives 10.100.21.1

10.100.21.1

10.10.20.1

100.10.11.1

100.21.10.1

11. What is the decimal equivalent of 0xC9?

 Topic 5.2.0 - 0x refers to the item as hexadecimal. Convert each character into its
corresponding nibble. Then combine the nibbles together and calculate the resulting
decimal equivalent. C has a value of 12. 12 x 16 = 192. 192 + 9 = 201.

185

200

201

199

https://contenthub.netacad.com/itn/5.3.2 4/6
18/2/2020 Introduction to Networks - Module Practice and Quiz

12. Which is a valid hexadecimal number?

 Topic 5.2.0 - The hexadecimal numbers are 0,1,2,3,4,5,6,7,8,9,a,b,c,d,e,f.. The

hexadecimal number 0 represents 0 in decimal and is represented as 0000 in binary.
The hexadecimal number f represents 15 in decimal .

13. What is the binary representation of 0xCA?

 Topic 5.2.0 - When converted, CA in hex is equivalent to 11011010 in binary. One

way to do the conversion is one nibble at a time, C = 1100 and A = 1010. Combine
the two nibbles gives 11001010.

10111010

11010101

11001010

11011010

14. How many bits are in an IPv4 address?

 Topic 5.1.0 - An IPv4 address is comprised of 4 octets of binary digits, each

containing 8 bits, resulting in a 32-bit address.

32

64

128

256

Check Show Me

Reset

 
5.2 6.0
Hexadecimal Number System Introduction

https://contenthub.netacad.com/itn/5.3.2 5/6
18/2/2020 Introduction to Networks - Module Practice and Quiz

https://contenthub.netacad.com/itn/5.3.2 6/6