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Network Masks

A network mask helps you know which portion of the address identifies the network and which portion of the address identifies the node. Class A, B, and C networks have default masks, also known as natural masks, as shown here:

Class A: 255.0.0.0
Class B: 255.255.0.0
Class C: 255.255.255.0

An IP address on a Class A network that has not been subnetted would have an address/mask pair similar to: 8.20.15.1 255.0.0.0. In order to see how the mask helps you identify the network and node parts of the address, convert the address and mask to binary numbers.


8.20.15.1 = 00001000.00010100.00001111.00000001
255.0.0.0 = 11111111.00000000.00000000.00000000

Subnetting

Subnetting is a process of breaking large network in small networks known as subnets. Subnetting happens when we extend default boundary of subnet mask. Basically we borrow host bits to create networks. Let's take a example

Being a network administrator you are asked to create two networks, each will host 30 systems.

Single class C IP range can fulfill this requirement, still you have to purchase 2 class C IP range, one for each network. Single class C range provides 256 total addresses and we need only 30 addresses, this will waste 226 addresses. These unused addresses would make additional route advertisements slowing down the network.

With subnetting you only need to purchase single range of class C. You can configure router to take first 26 bits instead of default 24 bits as network bits. In this case we would extend default boundary of subnet mask and borrow 2 host bits to create networks. By taking two bits from the host range and counting them as network bits, we can create two new subnets, and assign hosts them. As long as the two new network bits match in the address, they belong to the same network. You can change either of the two bits, and you would be in a new subnet.

Advantage of Subnetting

Subnetting math

Subnetting process involves binary math calculation. Computers communicate with each other's in binary language. To succeed in any kind of networking career, you might be fluent in binary math calculation. Subnetting needs two type of calculation, convert decimal to binary and convert binary to decimal.

Binary system works exactly same as decimal system, except the base number. Base number is 2 in binary system and 10 in decimal system. To calculate decimal equivalent value of a binary number, you have to replace base value 10 with 2. Binary numbers are displayed in columns and each position in binary system has double value than the position in right. From earlier section of this article you know that each number of an IP address is made from eight individual bits known as octet. So you should remember at least eight decimal equivalent value from binary position.

Convert decimal to binary

To convert a decimal number in binary we would use addition till number method. In this method we start adding from left to get target value. If after adding right position value, sum is lower than target number, keep adding, or if sum is greater than target number skip the position value. Only the value of on bit [1] will be added in sum. Off bit [0] has zero value. For example, convert decimal number 117 in binary.

Target decimal number 117

Move direction From Left ===========================> to Right

Base position 27 26 25 24 23 22 21 20
Decimal value 128 64 32 16 8 4 2 1
Base position 27 26 25 24 23 22 21 20
Decimal value 128 64 32 16 8 4 2 1
Bit status 0 1 1 1 0 1 0 1
Decimal value in addition 0 64 32 16 0 4 0 1

Binary value of 117 is 01110101.

Decimal calculationBit in binary
128 is greater than 117off the bit
0+64 = 64 is less than 117on the bit
0+64+32 = 96 is less than 117on the bit
0+64+32+16 = 112 is less than 117on the bit
0+64+32+16+8 = 120 is greater than 117off the bit
0+64+32+16+0+4 = 116 is less than 117on the bit
0+64+32+16+0+4+2 = 118 is greater than 117off the bit
0+64+32+16+0+4+0+1 = 117 is equivalent to 117on the bit

Convert binary in decimal

To convert a binary in decimal we will follow above method in reverse mode. We will find the decimal value of on binary bit position and add them. For example convert 10101010 binary number in decimal.

Target binary number 10101010

Move direction From Left ===========================> to Right

Base position 27 26 25 24 23 22 21 20
Decimal value 128 64 32 16 8 4 2 1
Bit status 1 0 1 0 1 0 1 0
Decimal value in addition 128 0 32 0 8 0 2 0

Decimal value of 10101010 is 170 [ 128+0+32+0+8+0+2+0 ]

Binary bitDecimal value
1 On bit128
0 Off bit0
1 On bit64
0 Off bit0
1 On bit32
0 Off bit0
1 On bit8
0 Off bit0
1 On bit2
0 Off bit0