What is an IP Range?
An IP range refers to a continuous block of IP addresses allocated to an organization or service provider. Rather than assigning single IPs, ranges enable scalable network management and efficient routing.
These ranges are represented using CIDR (Classless Inter-Domain Routing) notation, such as 192.0.2.0/24, which indicates a block of 256 addresses. CIDR notation simplifies subnetting and provides flexibility in allocating IP space based on need.
Organizations announce their IP ranges to the global internet using BGP (Border Gateway Protocol), which informs other networks about reachable IP prefixes and optimal routes. This announcement process is vital for ensuring global connectivity.
Security analysts examine IP ranges to attribute attack sources, identify infrastructure footprints, and detect malicious activities. Understanding IP ownership helps in threat hunting and filtering out potentially harmful traffic.
Properly managing IP ranges supports network segmentation, redundancy, and compliance with regional regulations. Detailed range analysis is essential for digital forensics, threat intelligence, and global network planning.