# File lib/cidr.rb, line 1940
    def to_i(attribute=:network)
        if(attribute == :network)
            return(@network)
        elsif(attribute == :hostmask)
            return(@hostmask)
        elsif(attribute == :ip)
            return(@ip)
        elsif(attribute == :netmask)
            return(@netmask)
        elsif(attribute == :wildcard_mask)
            return(@wildcard_mask)
        else
            raise ArgumentError, "Attribute is unrecognized. Must be :hostmask, :ip, :netmask, :network, or :wildcard_mask."
        end
    end