Broadcast address parameters

All datagrams sent by TCP/IP move through all machines in the network path. However, each host adapter ignores any packet that does not include that particular computer's IP address in the datagram header. Occasionally, you might want to send a message to all machines on a particular network. To do so, select a ``broadcast address'' for your machine. A broadcast address is one in which the host portion of the IP address consists either of all 0's or all 255's. The configuration procedure prompts you to choose between these address schemes:

Broadcast address schemes

Scheme	Example	Purpose
all zeroes (decimal 0)	10.0.0.0	provides compatibility with 4.2BSD systems
all ones (decimal 255)	10.0.255.255	UNIX Operating System Standard (RFC-919)

The addresses shown in the previous table are for a class B network, and are shown as examples only; your values will be different. If you are on a network that does not contain any machines running 4.2BSD systems or earlier BSD versions, choose all ones. If such machines exist on your network, choose all zeroes.