Which part of a TCP/IP configuration specifies the local network segment?

The subnet mask is an essential component of a TCP/IP configuration that defines the local network segment. It works in conjunction with an IP address to determine which portion of the address identifies the network and which part specifies the host within that network. The subnet mask divides the IP address into a network part and a host part by using a bitwise comparison.

For instance, in an IPv4 address such as 192.168.1.10 with a subnet mask of 255.255.255.0, the subnet mask indicates that the first three octets (192.168.1) represent the network, while the last octet (.10) represents the specific device on that network. This configuration allows devices within the same subnet to communicate directly with each other, while traffic to other networks will need to go through a gateway.

Other options, such as the gateway, DNS server, and default route, serve different purposes within a network. The gateway facilitates the transfer of data between different networks, the DNS server translates domain names into IP addresses, and the default route serves as a pathway for packets destined for networks not explicitly listed in the routing table. While important for network communication, none of these components directly specify the local network segment like the subnet mask