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Implementing and Administering Cisco Solutions

Dora Ionel

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Introducing the TCP/IP Internet Layer, IPv4 Addressing, and Subnets
Implementing Subnetting: Borrowing Bits
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7.11 Introducing the TCP/IP Internet Layer, IPv4 Addressing, and Subnets

Implementing Subnetting:
Borrowing Bits 

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Subnetting allows you to create multiple logical networks that exist within a single larger
network. When you are designing a network addressing scheme, you need to be able to
determine how many logical networks you will need and how many devices you will be
able to fit into these smaller networks.

To subnet a network address, you will borrow host bits and use them as subnet bits.
You will use the subnet mask to indicate how many host bits have been borrowed. Bits
must be borrowed consecutively, starting with the first host bit on the left. This approach
introduces classless networks.

To implement subnets, follow this procedure:

 Determine the IP address for your network as assigned by the registry authority
or network administrator.
 Based on your organizational and administrative structure, determine the number
of subnets that are required for the network. Be sure to plan for growth.
 Based on the required number of subnets, determine the number of bits that you
need to borrow from the host bits.
 Determine the binary and decimal value of the new subnet mask that results from
borrowing bits from the host ID.
 Apply the subnet mask to the network IP address to determine the subnets and
the available host addresses. Also, determine the network and broadcast
addresses for each subnet.
 Assign subnet addresses to all subnets. Assign host addresses to all devices that
are connected to each subnet.
Take a look at the following figure. The top table shows a standard Class C network
address that is not subnetted. The bottom table shows the same address after it is
subnetted by borrowing one host bit. Notice that the prefix length has changed from 24
to 25. The network IPv4 address itself is unchanged, although it is now considered a
subnetwork (subnet) and is one of two subnets that have been created. The subnet
mask has changed from 255.255.255.0 in decimal to 255.255.255.128, because the 128
bit is now turned on in the last octet.
Each time that a bit is borrowed, the number of subnet addresses increases, and the
number of host addresses that are available per subnet decreases. The algorithm that is
used to compute the number of subnets and hosts uses powers of two. Therefore,
borrowing one host bit enables you to create 21 = 2 subnets, borrowing 2 bits gives you
22 = 4 subnets, and so on.

Note
You can use the following formula to calculate the number of subnets that are created
by borrowing a given number of host bits: Number of subnets = 2s (where s is the
number of bits that are borrowed)
As the following figure shows, you can also determine how many host addresses are
available per subnet when you borrow a given number of bits. Just like on a network,
there are two addresses that are not available to be used as host addresses on a
subnet; they are used for the address of the subnet itself (with all of the host bits set to
0) and the directed broadcast address on the subnet (with all of the host bits set to 1).
The figure shows that borrowing 1 bit for subnetting the address in the example leaves
7 bits for hosts.

Note
You can use a formula to calculate the number of host addresses that are available
when a given number of host bits are borrowed: Number of hosts = 2h – 2 (where h is
the number of host bits that are remaining after bits are borrowed)
The formula to determine the number of hosts for this example is 27– 2, which calculates
to 126 host addresses per subnet.

Here is another example, using the same network, in which five host bits are borrowed
for subnetting. In this example, 25 = 32 subnets are created, and only 23 – 2 = 6 host
addresses are available for each subnet. The new subnet mask is
11111111.11111111.11111111.11111000, which equates to 255.255.255.248 in
decimal.

The following figure shows the subnetting of a Class B network address. The top table
shows a network address with the default Class B subnet mask, 255.255.0.0. The
second table shows the same address after it is subnetted by borrowing six host bits.
Notice that the prefix length has changed from 16 to 22. The network IPv4 address itself
is unchanged, but the subnet mask has changed from 255.255.0.0 in decimal to
255.255.252.0.

The next figure shows the subnetting of a Class A network address. The top table
shows a network address with the default Class A subnet mask, 255.0.0.0. The bottom
table shows the same address after it is subnetted by borrowing 8 host bits. Notice that
the prefix length has changed from 8 to 16. The network IPv4 address itself is
unchanged, but the subnet mask has changed from 255.0.0.0 in decimal to 255.255.0.0.

Content Review Question

Correct
How many host addresses can be used in a network with a /24 mask that has not been
subnetted?


253


254


255


256
Submit
Content Review Question
Correct
By borrowing three host bits, how many subnets are created?


10


8


16


32
Submit
Content Review Question
Correct
You have been assigned a /24 network address. A coworker has requested that you
create 10 subnets that can support 10 hosts per network. Which subnet mask should
you use?


255.255.255.0


255.255.255.224


255.255.255.240


255.255.255.248
Submit
Content Review Question
Correct
You have subnetted your 192.168.36.0 network address with a 255.255.255.224 mask.
How many subnets are available?


16


8


10


32
Submit
Content Review Question
Correct
You have been assigned the network 172.16.0.0/16. You need to establish 13 subnets.
What is the new subnet mask in the decimal form?


255.255.240.0


 255.255.248.0


255.255.224.0


255.255.252.0
Submit
Content Review Question
Incorrect
A large company has a /8 network but needs to subnet it into 1000 subnets. Which
subnet mask segments the /8 network and provides the maximum number of hosts per
subnet?


255.255.240.0.


255.255.224.0.


255.255.128.0.


255.255.192.0.
Submit
Answer
The correct answer is "255.255.192.0." To subnet a /8 network, you must begin
borrowing host bits from the second octet. To determine how many bits to borrow to
create 1000 subnets, count the bits by powers of two, starting with the far-left bit. Begin
with 2 and increase by powers of two. Borrowing one host bit enables you to create two
subnets, borrowing 2 bits gives you four subnets, and so on. You will discover that
borrowing all the bits from the second octet and 2 bits from the third octet creates 1024
subnets. If you add the values of all 8 bits in the second octet, you get 255, so the
subnet mask for that octet is 255. If you add the values of the 2 bits that you borrowed
in the third octet, you get 192. Therefore, the subnet mask that segments the /8 network
and provides the maximum number of hosts per subnet is 255.255.192.0.
Content Review Question
Correct
A company currently has a network range of 192.168.54.0/24. The company wants to
subnet this range into 4 subnets, each supporting at least 30 users. Which subnet mask
would you recommend?
 
255.255.255.224


255.255.255.128


255.255.255.240


255.255.255.192
Submit
Content Review Question
Incorrect
Which subnet mask would limit the number of hosts on any given subnet to 2044?


255.248.0.0


255.255.240.0


255.255.248.0


255.255.252.0
Submit
Answer
The correct answer is "255.255.248.0." Counting host bits by powers of two from right to
left indicates that 11 bits are needed to allow for 2046 hosts per subnet (211 = 2048;
2048 – 2 = 2046). Using 11 bits for host addresses means that the first 21 bits of the 32-
bit subnet mask are turned on. This way, the subnet mask is
11111111.11111111.11111000.00000000, or 255.255.248.0. The subnet masks
255.248.0.0 and 255.255.240.0 also allow 2046 hosts per subnet, but only the
255.255.248.0 mask limits the number of hosts per subnet to 2046.
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Table of Contents
Back to full menu

1. Welcome to Implementing and Administering Cisco Solutions

1.
2.

2.

Section 1:Exploring the Functions of Networking

3.

Section 2:Introducing the Host-To-Host Communications Model

4.

Section 3:Operating Cisco IOS Software

5.

Section 4:Introducing LANs

6.

Section 5:Exploring the TCP/IP Link Layer

7.
 Section 6:Starting a Switch

8.

Section 7:Introducing the TCP/IP Internet Layer, IPv4 Addressing, and Subnets

1. 7.1  Introduction
2. 7.2  Internet Protocol
3. 7.3  Decimal and Binary Number Systems
4. 7.4  Binary-to-Decimal Conversion
5. 7.5  Decimal-to-Binary Conversion
6. 7.6  IPv4 Address Representation
7. 7.7  IPv4 Header Fields
8. 7.8  IPv4 Address Classes
9. 7.9  Subnet Masks
10. 7.10  Subnets
11. 7.11  Implementing Subnetting: Borrowing Bits
12. 7.12  Implementing Subnetting: Determining the Addressing Scheme
13. 7.13  Benefits of VLSM and Implementing VLSM
14. 7.14  Private vs. Public IPv4 Addresses
15. 7.15  Reserved IPv4 Addresses
16. 7.16  Verifying IPv4 Address of a Host
17. 7.17  Summary Challenge

9.

Section 8:Explaining the TCP/IP Transport Layer and Application Layer

10.

Section 9:Exploring the Functions of Routing

11.

Section 10:Configuring a Cisco Router

12.
 Section 11:Exploring the Packet Delivery Process

13.

Section 12:Troubleshooting a Simple Network

14.

Section 13:Introducing Basic IPv6

15.

Section 14:Configuring Static Routing

16.

Section 15:Implementing VLANs and Trunks

17.

Section 16:Routing Between VLANs

18.

Section 17:Introducing OSPF

19.

Section 18:Building Redundant Switched Topologies

20.

Section 19:Improving Redundant Switched Topologies with EtherChannel

21.

Section 20:Exploring Layer 3 Redundancy

22.

Section 21:Introducing WAN Technologies

23.

Section 22:Explaining Basics of ACL

 24.

Section 23:Enabling Internet Connectivity

25.

Section 24:Introducing QoS

26.

Section 25:Explaining Wireless Fundamentals

27.

Section 26:Introducing Architectures and Virtualization

28.

Section 27:Explaining the Evolution of Intelligent Networks

29.

Section 28:Introducing System Monitoring

30.

Section 29:Managing Cisco Devices

31.

Section 30:Examining the Security Threat Landscape

32.

Section 31:Implementing Threat Defense Technologies

33.

Section 32:Securing Administrative Access

34.

Section 33:Implementing Device Hardening

System MessageFeedback Processing Delay Dec 23-Jan 3.Learn More
Introducing the TCP/IP Internet Layer, IPv4 Addressing, and Subnets
Implementing Subnetting: Determining the Addressing Scheme
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7.12 Introducing the TCP/IP Internet Layer, IPv4 Addressing, and Subnets

Implementing Subnetting:
Determining the Addressing
Scheme 

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If a network address is subnetted, the first subnet that is obtained after subnetting the
network address is called subnet zero, because all of the subnet bits are binary zero. To
determine each subsequent subnet address, increase the subnet address by the bit
value for the last bit that you borrowed.

In the following example, 8 bits are borrowed for subnetting the network address,
172.16.0.0/16. The first subnet address is 172.16.0.0/24; this is subnet zero. The last bit
that is borrowed is the bit with the value of 1 in the third octet, so the next subnet
address is 172.16.1.0/24.

The following figure shows the first six subnets and the last subnet that are created by
borrowing the 8 bits. There are a total of 28 = 256 subnets.

Notice that the address of a subnet has all of the host bits set to binary 0. This address
is one of the reserved addresses on a subnet. The other reserved address is the subnet
directed broadcast address, in which all of the host bits are set to binary 1. All of the
addresses in between the subnet address and the subnet broadcast address are valid
host addresses on that subnet. On these subnets there are 28 – 2 = 254 host addresses
per subnet.

Here are the host addresses and broadcast addresses for those subnets.

Host Addresses and Broadcast Addresses

Subnet Address Host Address Range Broadcast Address

172.16.0.0 172.16.0.1–172.16.0.254 172.16.0.255

172.16.1.0 172.16.1.1–172.16.1.254 172.16.1.255

172.16.2.0 172.16.2.1–172.16.2.254 172.16.2.255

172.16.3.0 172.16.3.1–172.16.3.254 172.16.3.255

172.16.4.0 172.16.4.1–172.16.4.254 172.16.4.255

172.16.5.0 172.16.5.1–172.16.5.254 172.16.5.255

... ... ...

 Host Addresses and Broadcast Addresses
Subnet Address Host Address Range Broadcast Address

172.16.255.0 172.16.255.1–172.16.255.254 172.16.255.255

In the following figure, Class B the 172.16.0.0/16 network address has been subnetted
by borrowing two host bits. The first subnet address is 172.16.0.0/18, the zero subnet.
The last bit that is borrowed is the bit with the value of 64, so the next subnet address is
172.16.64.0/18.

The following figure shows all the subnets that are created by borrowing the 2 bits. The
subnet 172.16.192.0/18 is the last subnet because 192 + 64 = 256, and the highest
possible value for any given octet is 255. However, if the subnet goes over the octet
boundary, then you have more subnets, as you will see in a couple of minutes as you
move on to the next example.

The following table shows the valid host addresses for each subnet that was created by
borrowing 2 bits. The table shows the valid host IPv4 address range for each
subnetwork. There are 22 = 4 subnets, and 214 – 2 = 16,382 host addresses per subnet.

Valid Host Addresses for Each Subnet Created by Borrowing 2 Bits

Subnet Address Valid Host Address Range Broadcast Address

172.16.0.0 172.16.0.1–172.16.63.254 172.16.63.255

172.16.64.0 172.16.64.1–172.16.127.254 172.16.127.255

172.16.128.0 172.16.128.1–172.16.191.254 172.16.191.255

172.16.192.0 172.16.192.1–172.16.255.254 172.16.255.255

Here is one more example of subnetting the same /16 network address, this time
borrowing 11 host bits for subnetting. The first subnet address is 172.16.0.0/27. The
second subnet address is 172.16.0.32/27, because the last borrowed bit has a value of
32. Notice that this time, the last borrowed bit is in the fourth octet. Therefore, the
increment of 32 (the value of the last borrowed bit) is first applied in the fourth octet.

Once all the possible subnet addresses in the fourth octet have been calculated in this
manner, you move back into the third octet since you have borrowed bits from the third
octet as well. You can use all the third octet values from 1 to 255 for your subnet
addresses as well.

The following table shows the first 10 subnet addresses and the last subnet address
(with the corresponding host addresses and broadcast addresses) that result from
subnetting Class B network 172.16.0.0 by borrowing 11 host bits. There are 211 = 2048
subnets, and 25 – 2 = 30 host addresses per subnet.

Subnet Address Host Address Range Broadcast Address

172.16.0.0 172.16.0.1–172.16.0.30 172.16.0.31

172.16.0.32 172.16.0.33–172.16.0.62 172.16.0.63

172.16.0.64 172.16.0.65–172.16.0.94 172.16.0.95

172.16.0.96 172.16.0.97–172.16.0.126 172.16.0.127

172.16.0.128 172.16.0.129–172.16.0.158 172.16.0.159

172.16.0.160 172.16.0.161–172.16.0.190 172.16.0.191

172.16.0.192 172.16.0.193–172.16.0.222 172.16.0.223

172.16.0.224 172.16.0.225–172.16.0.254 172.16.0.255

172.16.1.0 172.16.1.1–172.16.1.30 172.16.1.31

172.16.1.32 172.16.1.33–172.16.1.62 172.16.1.63

... ... ...

172.16.255.224 172.16.255.225–172.16.255.254 172.16.255.255

Content Review Question

Correct

How many subnets and how many host addresses per subnet are created by borrowing
8 bits from a 172.16.0.0/16 network?


255 subnets with 126 host addresses per subnet


256 subnets with 254 host addresses per subnet


128 subnets with 126 host addresses per subnet


126 subnets with 512 host addresses per subnet
Submit

Content Review Question

Correct

How many valid host addresses are available for each subnet after subnetting network
172.16.0.0/16 by borrowing two host bits?


62


4094


8190


16382
Submit

Content Review Question

Correct

You have been assigned the network address 192.168.7.0/24. You assume that you
need to establish 13 subnets, so you apply the subnet mask 255.255.255.240. What will
be your second subnet address?


192.168.7.8
 
192.168.7.16


192.168.16.0


192.168.8.0
Submit

Content Review Question

Incorrect

You want to subnet your 10.0.0.0/8 network to create 31 subnets. You determine that
you need to apply the subnet mask 255.248.0.0. What is the range of available host
addresses for the first subnet?


10.0.0.1 to 10.16.0.254


10.0.0.1 to 10.16.255.254


10.0.0.1 to 10.7.255.254


10.0.0.1 to 10.7.255.255
Submit

Answer
The correct answer is "10.0.0.1 to 10.7.255.254." Two pieces of information in the
question tell you that five host bits have been borrowed for subnetting. First, the
creation of 31 subnets requires 5 host bits, and second, the value of 248 in the second
octet of the subnet mask indicates that 5 host bits have been borrowed. That means
that the value of the last bit borrowed is 8. Therefore, the second subnet would be
10.8.0.0, making the valid host range for the first subnet 10.0.0.1 to 10.7.255.254. The
address 10.7.255.255 could not be used as a host address because it is the broadcast
address for the first subnet.
Content Review Question
Correct

Which of these addresses is the assigned subnet address for the host address
192.168.3.50/27?
 
192.168.3.0


192.168.3.24


192.168.3.32


192.168.3.41
Submit
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