Module 5: Number Systems

Instructor Materials

Introduction to Networks v7.0

(ITN)
5.1 Binary Number System

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Binary Number System
Binary and IPv4 Addresses
• Binary numbering system consists of 1s and 0s, called bits
• Decimal numbering system consists of digits 0 through 9
• Hosts, servers, and network equipment using binary addressing to identify each other.
• Each address is made up of a string of 32 bits, divided into four sections called octets.
• Each octet contains 8 bits (or 1 byte) separated by a dot.
• For ease of use by people, this dotted notation is converted to dotted decimal.

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Binary Number System
Binary Positional Notation
• Positional notation means that a digit represents different values depending on the
“position” the digit occupies in the sequence of numbers.
• The decimal positional notation system operates as shown in the tables below.

Thousands Hundreds Tens Ones

Radix 10 10 10 10
Positional Value 1000 100 10 1
Position in Number 3 2 1 0 Decimal Number (1234) 1 2 3 4

Calculate (103) (102) (101) (100) Calculate 1 x 1000 2 x 100 3 x 10 4x1

Position Value 1000 100 10 1 Add them up… 1000 + 200 + 30 +4

Result 1,234

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Binary Number System
Binary Positional Notation (Cont.)
The binary positional notation system operates as shown in the tables below.
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

Positional Value 128 64 32 16 8 4 2 1

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

Calculate 1x128 1x64 0x32 0x16 0x8 0x4 0x2 0x1

Add Them Up… 128 + 64 +0 +0 +0 +0 +0 +0

Result 192

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Binary Number System
Convert Binary to Decimal
Convert 11000000.10101000.00001011.00001010 to decimal.
Positional Value 128 64 32 16 8 4 2 1

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

Calculate 1x128 1x64 0x32 0x16 0x8 0x4 0x2 0x1

Add Them Up… 128 + 64 +0 +0 +0 +0 +0 +0 192

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

Calculate 1x128 0x64 1x32 0x16 1x8 0x4 0x2 0x1

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

168
Binary Number (00001011) 0 0 0 0 1 0 1 1
192.168.11.10
Calculate 0x128 0x64 0x32 0x16 1x8 0x4 1x2 1x1

Add Them Up… 0 +0 +0 +0 +8 +0 +2 +1 11

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

Calculate 0x128 0x64 0x32 0x16 1x8 0x4 1x2 0x1

Add Them Up… 0 +0 +0 +0 +8 +0 +2 +0 10

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Binary Number System
Decimal to Binary Conversion
The binary positional value table is useful in converting a dotted decimal IPv4 address to
binary.

• Start in the 128 position (the most

significant bit). Is the decimal number of
the octet (n) equal to or greater than
128?
• If no, record a binary 0 in the 128
positional value and move to the 64
positional value.
• If yes, record a binary 1 in the 128
positional value, subtract 128 from the
decimal number, and move to the 64
positional value.
• Repeat these steps through the 1
positional value.

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Binary Number System
Decimal to Binary Conversion Example
• Convert decimal 168 to binary
Is 168 > 128?
- Yes, enter 1 in 128 position and subtract 128 (168-128=40)
Is 40 > 64?
- No, enter 0 in 64 position and move on
Is 40 > 32?
- Yes, enter 1 in 32 position and subtract 32 (40-32=8)
Is 8 > 16?
- No, enter 0 in 16 position and move on
Is 8 > 8?
- Equal. Enter 1 in 8 position and subtract 8 (8-8=0)
No values left. Enter 0 in remaining binary positions
128 64 32 16 8 4 2 1

1 0 1 0 1 0 0 0

Decimal 168 is written as 10101000 in binary

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Binary Number System
IPv4 Addresses
• 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.

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5.2 Hexadecimal Number
System

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Hexadecimal Number System
Hexadecimal and IPv6 Addresses
• To understand IPv6 addresses,
you must be able to convert
hexadecimal to decimal and
vice versa.
• Hexadecimal is a base sixteen
numbering system, using the
digits 0 through 9 and letters A
to F.
• It is easier to express a value
as a single hexadecimal digit
than as four binary bit.
• Hexadecimal is used to
represent IPv6 addresses and
MAC addresses.

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Hexadecimal Number System
Hexadecimal and IPv6 Addresses (Cont.)
• IPv6 addresses are 128 bits in
length. Every 4 bits is
represented by a single
hexadecimal digit. That makes
the IPv6 address a total of 32
hexadecimal values.
• The figure shows the preferred
method of writing out an IPv6
address, with each X
representing four hexadecimal
values.
• Each four hexadecimal
character group is referred to
as a hextet.

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Hexadecimal Number System
Decimal to Hexadecimal Conversions
Follow the steps listed to convert decimal numbers to hexadecimal values:
• Convert the decimal number to 8-bit binary strings.
• Divide the binary strings in groups of four starting from the rightmost position.
• Convert each four binary numbers into their equivalent hexadecimal digit.

For example, 168 converted into hex using the three-step process.
• 168 in binary is 10101000.
• 10101000 in two groups of four binary digits is 1010 and 1000.
• 1010 is hex A and 1000 is hex 8, so 168 is A8 in hexadecimal.

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Hexadecimal Number System
Hexadecimal to Decimal Conversions
Follow the steps listed to convert hexadecimal numbers to decimal values:
• Convert the hexadecimal number to 4-bit binary strings.
• Create 8-bit binary grouping starting from the rightmost position.
• Convert each 8-bit binary grouping into their equivalent decimal digit.

For example, D2 converted into decimal using the three-step process:

• D2 in 4-bit binary strings is 1110 and 0010.
• 1110 and 0010 is 11100010 in an 8-bit grouping.
• 11100010 in binary is equivalent to 210 in decimal, so D2 is 210 is decimal

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