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A Subnetmask, is basically a area of how many devices can be connected to your network.
255.255.255.255 is the maximum of a subnet area.
There are 3 classes of subnetmask.
A,B and C.
Subnetmask class A looks like this: 255.0.0.0, this is the biggest area of a subnet. It is used by bigger companies, with a lot devices, that need to be connected to your network.
Subnetmask B looks like this: 255.255.0.0, this is used by smaller companies, because if you have more than 254 devices, that need to be connected to your network, you will automatically need a class B subnet.
Subnetmask C looks like this: 255.255.255.0, that is the most typical one.
So that means you can connect 254 devices to your network.