Thanks for all the help in the CB but some requested code so here it goes. The bitwise conversion to network from dotted quad works correctly but the bitwise back to dotted quad fails. Below is the code. 
sub dotted_quad_to_network
{
    my ($dq_address) = @_;

    $dq_address =~ /^(\d{1,3})\.(\d{1,3})\.(\d{1,3})\.(\d{1,3})/;

    return (($1 << 24) + ($2 << 16) + ($3 << 8) + $4);
}

sub network_to_dotted_quad
{
    my ($address) = @_;

    return sprintf ("%d.%d.%d.%d", $address >> 24,
                   ($address << 8) >> 24,
                   ($address << 16) >> 24,
                   ($address << 24) >> 24);
}

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In Perl version 5.8.6 this code works correctly giving the correct dotted quad from the network. In v5.8.8 it gives back a weird dotted quad that looks like this: 216.55333.14165328.3626324100. I am using this IP 216.37.80.132 to test with.
The Web is like a dominatrix. Everywhere I turn, I see little buttons ordering me to Submit. (Nytwind)

In reply to Converting between network and dotted quad. Issue with << and >> operators between Perl Versions. by RoyCrowder

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