Activity # 1- The Subnetting Procedure

Host bits are converted to network bits in order to build IP subnets. This is commonly known as
"borrowing bits." It's also frequently referred to as giving host bits to the network. Although more IP
subnets can be constructed by borrowing host bits, each subnet can accommodate fewer hosts.
The subnet mask needs to be modified for a host bit to become a network bit. In the subnet mask,
a binary 0 indicates that the bit belongs to the host section of the IP address. An IP address's network
portion is indicated by a binary 1 in the subnet mask. Therefore, a bit's binary value in the subnet mask
must be altered from 0 to 1 in order to convert it from being a host bit to a network bit.
The procedure listed below should be applied for calculating subnets. The process will be broken
down into its individual steps later on in this activity.

1. Find the IP address range that has been assigned.

2. Based on the existing network's configuration and the anticipated number of subnets, determine
the organizational structure. It is customary to provide each department in the organization its own
subnet organization.
3. Based on the number of required subnets and the class of the IP address space, determine the
number of host bits to be borrowed. Find out how many hosts each subnet can accommodate as
well.
4. Determine the new subnet mask's decimal value and prefix value.
5. To determine the network address of the new subnets, the broadcast address for each new
subnet, and the range of useable IP addresses in each new subnet, apply the subnet mask to the
given IP address space.
6. Assign each device, including router interfaces linked to that subnet, an IP address.

Calculating Possible Number of Subnets

Use the formula 2n to determine the number of potential subnets, where n is the quantity of borrowed host
bits. For instance, n=3 if three host bits are borrowed. If three host bits are borrowed, there can be eight
subnets because 23 = 8. The powers of two are shown in the table below.

Bits Borrowed Formula Number of Bits Borrowed Formula Number of

Subnets Subnets

1 21 2 12 212 4096

2 22 4 13 213 8192

3 23 8 14 214 16384

4 24 16 15 215 32268

5 25 32 16 216 65536

6 26 64 17 217 131072

7 27 128 18 218 262144

8 28 256 19 219 524288

 9 29 512 20 220 1048576

10 210 1024 21 221 2097152

11 211 2048 22 222 4194304

Calculate the amount of host bits that must be borrowed in order to complete the third step of the
subnetting process, then rewrite the calculation as 2n > (number of needed subnets). For instance, if there
are 18 subnets required, then enter 2n > 18 as the formula. Get as near to the necessary number of subnets
without exceeding it as you can while you try to solve for n. In this instance, n equals 5 (25 = 32). In order to
build at least 18 subnets, 5 host bits must be borrowed.

Calculating Number of Hosts per Subnet

Use the formula 2h - 2 to determine the number of potential hosts per subnet, where h is the
number of host bits. The network address and the broadcast address are the two addresses that must be
removed. The number of host bits can be discovered in one of two ways.

1. Determine the number of remaining host bits based on the class of address and the number of host bits
borrowed.

a. Determine the assigned IP address space.

b. Determine number of host bits available.
c. Determine number of host bits borrowed.
d. Determine the number of remaining host bits by subtracting the number of host bits borrowed
from the default number of host bits. The difference is h in the formula.
e. Determine the number of possible hosts by using the formula 2h - 2. Use the table above to
determine the number of hosts available after a specific number of bits have been borrowed from
the host portion of the address.
f. Calculate the new subnet mask and prefix.

The table below provides examples for each class of IP address space.

Given IP Address Space A B C

Number of Host Bits 24 16 8

Available
Number of host Bits 14 7 4
Borrowed
Number of Host Bits 24 – 14 = 10 16 – 7 = 9 8–4=4
Remaining (h)
Number of Possible 210 = 1024 27 = 128 24 = 16
Hosts 1024 – 2 = 1022 128 – 2 = 126 16 – 2 = 14
 New Subnet Mask 255.255.252.0 255.255.254.0 255.255.255.240

New Prefix /22 /23 /28

2. Based on the number of hosts the subnet must accommodate, determine the amount of host bits that
must be saved. From a design standpoint, this circumstance is typical.

a. Determine the assigned IP space.

b. Determine the number of host bits available.
c. Determine how many hosts the subnet needs to support.
d. Rewrite the formula as 2h - 2 > (number of required hosts), where h equals the number of host
bits that must be saved.
e. Solve for h, by finding the exponent of 2 whose value is as close to the number of required hosts
as possible without going under. That exponent is the value of h.
f. All other bits not saved for host bits become network bits. Use the following formula to
determine how many host bits are given to the network portion: (Number of Host Bits Available) -
h
g. Calculate the new subnet mask and prefix

It is essential to understand the idea of conserving host bits. Host bits are always the ones
immediately to the right of the IP address. In order to save host bits, start with the bit that is farthest to the
right (the last bit of the last octet) and count leftward. The network part receives the last few host bits.

Consider the scenario where six host bits must be saved. As a result, the network component
receives the first two bits of the last octet, plus host bits from the second and third octets, and the last six
bits of the last octet that are saved as host bits. This idea is depicted in the table below.

Last Octet Subnet Mask

Exponent 7 6
Base 2 2 25 24 23 22 21 20
Place Value 128 64 32 16 8 4 2 1
Binary Value 1 1 0 0 0 0 0 0
Meaning Network Network Host Bit Host Bit Host Bit Host Bit Host Bit Host Bit
Bit Bit

The table below lists examples for each kind of IP address space.
Given IP Address Space A B C

Number of Host Bits 24 16 8

Available
Number of Required 500 200 25
Hosts per Subnet
Number of Host Bits to 2h – 2 > 500 2h – 2 = > 200 2h - > 25
Save (h) 29 = 512 28 = 256 25 = 32
512 – 2 = 500 256 – 2 = 254 32 – 2 = 30
h=9 h=8 h=5
Number of Host Bits 24 – h 16 – h 8–h
Given to the Network 24 – 9 = 15 16 – 8 = 8 8–5=3
Portion
New Subnet Mask 255.255.254.0 255.255.255.0 255.255.255.224
New Prefix /23 /24 /27
Calculating the New Subnet Mask

To complete the fourth step of the subnetting process—calculating the decimal and prefix values of
the new subnet mask—perform the following steps.

1. Determine the class of IP network.

2. Determine the default subnet mask or prefix for the class of address.
3. Determine how many host bits were borrowed or given to the network.
4. Calculate the new subnet mask and prefix. To calculate the new subnet mask, start with the first
binary 0 in the default subnet mask and change it to a binary 1. Continue doing this, moving left to
right, for the number of bits borrowed.
For instance, if four bits are borrowed and the default subnet mask is 255.255.0.0, the first four bits
of the third octet must be converted from binary 0s to binary 1s. The new subnet mask in this illustration is
255.255.240.0.

An illustration of these processes can be found in the table below.

Assigned IP Address Space 159.43.0.0

Class of Assigned IP Address B
Default Subnet Mask 255.255.0.0
Default Subnet Mask ( binary) 11111111.11111111.00000000.00000000
Default Subnet Mask ( prefix format) /16
Number of Host Bits Borrowed 4
New Subnet Mask ( Decimal ) 255.255.240.0
New Subnet Mask ( Binary) 11111111.11111111.11110000.00000000
New Subnet mask ( prefix) /20

Calculating the New Subnets

The fifth stage of subnetting involves calculating the new subnets. The Least Significant Bit (LSB)
refers to the final bit borrowed in a subnet mask. One example is shown in the figure below.

Subnet Mask ( Subnet Mask ( Binary) 3rd Octet Expanded

Decimal)
255.255.240.0 11111111.11111111.11110000.00000000 27 26 25 24 23 22 21 20
128 64 32 16 8 4 2 1
1 1 1 1 0 0 0 0
LSB

The LSB is the fourth bit of the third byte in the subnet mask 255.255.240.0. This bit's value is 16.
This is significant to remember since the new IP subnets' multiples depend on the LSB's value. In other
words, the network numbers for the new potential subnets increase by 16 in the third octet. The new
potential subnets are displayed in the table below.

159.43.0.0 159.43.128.0
159.43.16.0 159.43.144.0
159.43.32.0 159.43.160.0
159.43.48.0 159.43.176.0
159.43.64.0 159.43.192.0
159.43.80.0 159.43.208.0
159.43.96.0 159.43.224.0
159.43.112.0 159.43.240.0
 Any class of IP network with any subnet mask can use the value of the LSB to determine the new
potential subnets.

Calculating the Broadcast Address and Usable Range of Host Addresses of the New Subnets

Once the network address of the new possible subnets is known, the broadcast address and the
usable range for the new subnets can be quickly calculated.

To calculate the broadcast address and each of the subnets, identify the next subnet, and then go
back one address. The table below shows the new subnets and their broadcast addresses.

Subnet Address Broadcast Address

159.43.0.0 159.43.15.255
159.43.16.0 159.43.31.255
159.43.32.0 159.43.47.255
159.43.48.0 159.43.63.255
159.43.64.0 159.43.79.255
159.43.80.0 159.43.95.255
159.43.96.0 159.43.111.255
159.43.112.0 159.43.127.255
159.43.128.0 159.43.143.255
159.43.144.0 159.43.159.255
159.43.160.0 159.43.175.255
159.43.176.0 159.43.191.255
159.43.192.0 159.43.207.255
159.43.208.0 159.43.223.255
159.43.224.0 159.43.239.255
159.43.240.0 159.43.255.255

Do the following to determine the range of IP addresses that can be used, or the range of IP
addresses that can be assigned to devices connected to the subnet:
1. To determine the first useable IP address, add one address to the subnet address.

2. To determine the final IP address that can be used, deduct one address from the broadcast
address.

The usable range of IP addresses for each subnet, the broadcast address for each subnet, and all
new potential subnets are displayed in the table below.

Subnet Address Usable Range of Host IP Address Broadcast Address

159.43.0.0 159.43.0.1 through 159.43.15.254 159.43.15.255
159.43.16.0 159.43.0.1 through 159.43.31.254 159.43.31.255
159.43.32.0 159.43.0.1 through 159.43.47.254 159.43.47.255
159.43.48.0 159.43.0.1 through 159.43.63.254 159.43.63.255
159.43.64.0 159.43.0.1 through 159.43.79.254 159.43.79.255
159.43.80.0 159.43.0.1 through 159.43.95.254 159.43.95.255
159.43.96.0 159.43.0.1 through 159.43.111.254 159.43.111.255
159.43.112.0 159.43.0.1 through 159.43.127.254 159.43.127.255
159.43.128.0 159.43.0.1 through 159.43.143.254 159.43.143.255
159.43.144.0 159.43.0.1 through 159.43.159.254 159.43.159.255
 159.43.160.0 159.43.0.1 through 159.43.175.254 159.43.175.255
159.43.176.0 159.43.0.1 through 159.43.191.254 159.43.191.255
159.43.192.0 159.43.0.1 through 159.43.207.254 159.43.207.255
159.43.208.0 159.43.0.1 through 159.43.223.254 159.43.223.255
159.43.224.0 159.43.0.1 through 159.43.239.254 159.43.239.255
159.43.240.0 159.43.0.1 through 159.43.255.254 159.43.255.255

Lets Begin our Activity Here:

A. Supply the needed information in the table below applying the six step subnetting process. The
given IP Address Space is 209.44.33.0/24 and the required number of subnets is 6.

Given IP Address Space Address Class C

Default Subnet mask 255.255.255.0
Default Number of Host Bits 8
Number of Required Subnets 6
Number of Bits to Borrow 3
Number of Hosts per Subnet 30
New Subnet Mask and Prefix Default Class Subnet Mask 255.255.255.00
Default Class Prefix /24
New Subnet Mask 255.255.255.224
New Prefix /27
Applying the Subnet Mask to Subnet Usable Range of Host IP Broadcast Address
the IP Space
209.44.33.0 209.44.33.1 - 209.44.33.30 209.44.33.31
209.44.33.32 209.44.33.33 - 209.44.33.62 209.44.33.63
209.44.33.64 209.44.33.65 - 209.44.33.94 209.44.33.95
209.44.33.96 209.44.33.97 - 209.44.33.126 209.44.33.127
209.44.33.128 209.44.33.129 - 209.44.33.158 209.44.33.159
2
209.44.33.160 209.44.33.161 - 209.44.33.190 209.44.33.191
209.44.33.192 209.44.33.193 - 209.44.33.222 209.44.33.223
209.44.33.224 209.44.33.225 - 209.44.33.254 209.44.33.255

Assigning IP Addresses to The router interface usually receives the first IP Address of the subnet
Appropriate Devices
 B. Supply the needed information in the table below applying the six step subnetting process. The
given IP Address Space is 147.38.0.0/16 and the required number of subnets is 400.

Given IP Address Space Address Class B

Default Subnet mask 255.255.0.0
Default Number of Host Bits 16
Number of Required Subnets 400
Number of Bits to Borrow 9
Number of Hosts per Subnet 126
New Subnet Mask and Prefix Default Class Subnet Mask 255.255.0.0
Default Class Prefix /16
New Subnet Mask 255.255.255.128
New Prefix /25
Applying the Subnet Mask to Subnet Usable Range of Host IP Broadcast Address
the IP Space ( Show only the
147.38.0.0 147.38.0.1 - 147.38.0.126 147.38.0.127
first 15 subnets )
147.38.0.128 147.38.0.129 - 147.38.0.254 147.38.0.255
147.38.1.0 147.38.1.1 - 147.38.1.126 147.38.1.127
147.38.1.128 147.38.1.129 - 147.38.1.254 147.38.1.255
147.38.2.0 147.38.2.1 - 147.38.2.126 147.38.2.127
147.38.2.128 147.38.2.129 - 147.38.2.254 147.38.2.255
147.38.3.0 147.38.3.1 - 147.38.3.126 147.38.3.127
147.38.3.128 147.38.3.129 - 147.38.3.254 147.38.3.255
147.38.4.0 147.38.4.1 - 147.38.4.126 147.38.4.127
147.38.4.128 147.38.4.129 - 147.38.4.254 147.38.4.255
147.38.5.0 147.38.5.1 - 147.38.5.126 147.38.5.127
147.38.5.128 147.38.5.129 - 147.38.5.254 147.38.5.255
147.38.6.0 147.38.6.1 - 147.38.6.126 147.38.6.127
147.38.6.128 147.38.6.129 - 147.38.6.254 147.38.6.255
147.38.7.0 147.38.7.1 - 147.38.7.126 147.38.7.127
Assigning IP Addresses to The router interface usually receives the first IP Address of the subnet
Appropriate Devices