Yes well put I agree.By definition a network address is an address that serves as a unique identifier for a computer on a network.
So isn't the answer to the question that an IP address is a specific example (the most common example) of a Network Address.
Not quite so well put as MAC addresses are security devices, not network addresses.Network Addresses encompasses other addressing modes such as MAC addresses etc.
I think the OP asked a very reasonable question.What is the difference between an IP address and a Network address?
I have just re-read Dave's post as suggested and I'm afraid that much of what he says is wrong.All you folks who think that IP addresses are the only form of network addressing should re-read Daves post.
So far so good.By definition a network address is an address that serves as a unique identifier for a computer on a network.
The term "Network Address" has a very specific meaning in the IP world and a single IP address is not an example of a network address. A single IP address can be part of a network but a single IP address can not be a network address.So isn't the answer to the question that an IP address is a specific example (the most common example) of a Network Address. Network Addresses encompasses other addressing modes such as MAC addresses etc.
Network Address:
These protocols handle the way machines are addressed, both by a unique number and a more common symbolic name.
ARP (Address Resolution Protocol): Determines the unique numeric addresses of the machine on the network.
DNS (Domain Name System): Determines numeric addresses from machine names.
RARP (Reverse Address Resolution Protocol): Determines addresses of machines on the network, but in a manner backward from ARP.
IP Address Classes:
An IP address contains a network part and a host part, but the format of these parts in not the same in every IP address.
Not all network addresses or host addresses are available for use. The class A addresses, 0 and 127, that are reserved for special use. Network 0 designates the default route (is used to simplify the routing information that IP must handle) and network 127 is the loopback address (simplifies network applications by allowing the local host to be addressed in the same manner as a remote host). We use the special network addresses when configuring a host.
Figure 87 shows the IP address classes.
There are also some host addresses reserved for special use. In all network classes, host number 0 and 255 are reserved. An IP address with all host bits set to zero identifies the network itself. Addresses in this form are used in routing table listings to refer to entire networks. An IP address with all bits set to one is a broadcast address (is used to simultaneously address every host on a network). A datagram sent to this address is delivered to every individual host on that network.
IP uses the network portion of the address to route the datagram between networks. The full address, including the host information, is used to make final delivery when the datagram reaches the destination network.
Figure 88 shows host communication on a local network.
Which would be why it is called the
Public Service Telephone Network (PSTN)?
or is it a
Packet Switched Telephone Network
Yes the definition of Network is wide and wooly with lots of grey areas. there are an infinite number of possibilities.
on the other hand
IP address are precisely defined and there are only a finite number of them
What I think your looking for is what is the difference from a IP that a router gives to local computers (Network address) and a Public IP address.What is the difference between an IP address and a Network address?