Purpose of subnet mask?

Understanding the purpose of a subnet mask is fundamental to effectively managing network addressing and optimizing network performance, which is also crucial in the context of Palo Alto Firewall Course.
In networking, a subnet mask is a 32-bit number used to divide an IP address into network and host portions. Its primary purpose is to determine which part of an IP address belongs to the network and which part identifies specific hosts within that network. By utilizing subnet masks, network administrators can logically segment large IP address spaces into smaller, more manageable subnetworks. This segmentation facilitates efficient IP address allocation, enhances network security, and improves overall network performance.
In the context of