What is defined as the network address?

The network address is defined as the first address of the subnet. This address is used to identify the subnet itself and cannot be assigned to any individual device within that subnet. It represents the entire network and helps in routing traffic among different networks.

In IPv4 addressing, a subnet is structured so that its network address signifies the lowest address in the range of that subnet. For example, in a subnet with the range 192.168.1.0/24, the address 192.168.1.0 is the network address. Devices on the subnet, used for communication, require usable addresses in the range, which begin from the next available address after the network address.

Since the network address provides essential information for routing, it's crucial for network configuration and management. This understanding aids in networking concepts and is a fundamental part of subnetting.