>>255
255 in binary is 11111111
(because it's 128+64+32+16+8+4+2+1)
when ANDing a subnet mask against an IP address, the dotted decimal representation of the binary octet with a value of 255 will result in that octet being kept (meaning it is a full network octet)
example: 192.168.1.2 AND 255.255.255.0 → 192.168.1.0
this yields just the network address portion, disregarding the host bits
it is also the broadcast address (in the last octet) for the last subnet in a given network
and 255.255.255.255 is a limited broadcast
also, x.x.x.255 is a directed broadcast
as you can see, 255 is a very special number in networking
you should feel special,
>>255 is a very special number
I am going to have a nap now, goodnight VIPPERs, stay well and keep hydrated
I was going to write something else but I forgot what it was