AMU 2026 — Computer PYQ
AMU | Computer | 2026two computers and are configured as follows: has IP address and subnet mask , has IP address and subnet mask . Which one of the following options is true?

two computers P and Q are configured as follows: P has IP address 203.197.2.53 and subnet mask 255.255.128.0, Q has IP address 203.197.75.201 and subnet mask 255.255.192.0. Which one of the following options is true?
P assumes Q is on the same network, but Q assumes P is on a different network
(Correct Answer)P and Q both assume they are on the same network
Q assumes P is on the same network, P assumes Q is on a different network
P and Q both assume they are on different networks
P assumes Q is on the same network, but Q assumes P is on a different network
When computer P wants to send data to computer Q, it determines whether Q is on its local network or a remote network by performing a bitwise AND operation:
First, P calculates its own Network ID: IPP AND MaskP
Then, P calculates Q's network ID using its own mask: IPQ AND MaskP
If both results match, P assumes Q is on the same network.
The same logic applies conversely when Q looks at P using MaskQ.
IPP: 203.197.2.53
MaskP: 255.255.128.0
Since the first two octets of the mask are 255.255, they remain unchanged. We only need to perform the bitwise AND on the 3rd octet.
3rd octet of IPP=2→(00000010)2
3rd octet of MaskP=128→(10000000)2
2 AND 128=(00000010)2 AND (10000000)2=(00000000)2=0
Network ID of P=203.197.0.0
Now, P checks where Q (203.197.75.201) belongs using MaskP:
3rd octet of IPQ=75→(01001011)2
3rd octet of MaskP=128→(10000000)2
75 AND 128=(01001011)2 AND (10000000)2=(00000000)2=0
Calculated Network ID for Q by P=203.197.0.0
Conclusion for P: Since both Network IDs match (203.197.0.0), P assumes Q is on the same network.
IPQ: 203.197.75.201
MaskQ: 255.255.192.0
Let's find Q's own Network ID by performing a bitwise AND on the 3rd octet:
3rd octet of IPQ=75→(01001011)2
3rd octet of MaskQ=192→(11000000)2
75 AND 192=(01001011)2 AND (11000000)2=(01000000)2=64
Network ID of Q=203.197.64.0
Now, Q checks where P (203.197.2.53) belongs using MaskQ:
3rd octet of IPP=2→(00000010)2
3rd octet of MaskQ=192→(11000000)2
2 AND 192=(00000010)2 AND (11000000)2=(00000000)2=0
Calculated Network ID for P by Q=203.197.0.0
Conclusion for Q: Since Q's own network ID (203.197.64.0) does not match the calculated ID for P (203.197.0.0), Q assumes P is on a different network.
P assumes Q is on the same network.
Q assumes P is on a different network.
The correct option is (a).
When computer P wants to send data to computer Q, it determines whether Q is on its local network or a remote network by performing a bitwise AND operation:
First, P calculates its own Network ID: IPP AND MaskP
Then, P calculates Q's network ID using its own mask: IPQ AND MaskP
If both results match, P assumes Q is on the same network.
The same logic applies conversely when Q looks at P using MaskQ.
IPP: 203.197.2.53
MaskP: 255.255.128.0
Since the first two octets of the mask are 255.255, they remain unchanged. We only need to perform the bitwise AND on the 3rd octet.
3rd octet of IPP=2→(00000010)2
3rd octet of MaskP=128→(10000000)2
2 AND 128=(00000010)2 AND (10000000)2=(00000000)2=0
Network ID of P=203.197.0.0
Now, P checks where Q (203.197.75.201) belongs using MaskP:
3rd octet of IPQ=75→(01001011)2
3rd octet of MaskP=128→(10000000)2
75 AND 128=(01001011)2 AND (10000000)2=(00000000)2=0
Calculated Network ID for Q by P=203.197.0.0
Conclusion for P: Since both Network IDs match (203.197.0.0), P assumes Q is on the same network.
IPQ: 203.197.75.201
MaskQ: 255.255.192.0
Let's find Q's own Network ID by performing a bitwise AND on the 3rd octet:
3rd octet of IPQ=75→(01001011)2
3rd octet of MaskQ=192→(11000000)2
75 AND 192=(01001011)2 AND (11000000)2=(01000000)2=64
Network ID of Q=203.197.64.0
Now, Q checks where P (203.197.2.53) belongs using MaskQ:
3rd octet of IPP=2→(00000010)2
3rd octet of MaskQ=192→(11000000)2
2 AND 192=(00000010)2 AND (11000000)2=(00000000)2=0
Calculated Network ID for P by Q=203.197.0.0
Conclusion for Q: Since Q's own network ID (203.197.64.0) does not match the calculated ID for P (203.197.0.0), Q assumes P is on a different network.
P assumes Q is on the same network.
Q assumes P is on a different network.
The correct option is (a).