bitwise subnetscanning?

From: Alef T Veld (alef_at_xs2.xs4all.nl)
Date: 08/31/04 

Date: Tue, 31 Aug 2004 11:43:15 +0200

Hello,

i want to make a scanner for system management purposes. what is the
best way to do this. should i just do it in decimal or would working with
bits be faster/better? and how would one accomplish this?

examples for both would be appreciated
or should i be using hex?

i have minor experience with bitshifting, what is the 'normal ' way to do
this? what would a scanner like nmap do f.e.?

i would want to scan ipv4 range from 0.0.0.0 to 255.255.255.255 with the
exception of reserved addresses ofcourse.
kind regards,
atv