lecture4:FLSM

Understanding Subnetting
Subnetting allows you to create multiple logical networks that exist within a single Class A, B, or C network. If you do not subnet, you will only be able to use one network from your Class A, B, or C network, which is unrealistic.
Formula for calculating subnets
Use this formula to calculate the number of subnets:
2^n where n = the number of bits borrowed
The number of hosts
To calculate the number of hosts per network, we use the formula of 2^h - 2 where h = the number of bits left for hosts.
Each data link on a network must have a unique network ID, with every node on that link being a member of the same network. If you break a major network (Class A, B, or C) into smaller subnetworks, it allows you to create a network of interconnecting subnetworks. Each data link on this network would then have a unique network/subnetwork ID. Any device, or gateway, connecting n networks/subnetworks has n distinct IP addresses, one for each network / subnetwork that it interconnects.
To subnet a network, extend the natural mask using some of the bits from the host ID portion of the address to create a subnetwork ID. For example, given a Class C network of 204.15.5.0 which has a natural mask of 255.255.255.0, you can create subnets in this manner: