VLSM (Variable Length Subnet

Mask)
MD. AZIZUL HAKIM
LECTURER
D E PA RT M E N T O F C S E
D A F F O D I L I N T E R N AT I O N A L U N I V E R S I T Y

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What is VLSM?
VLSM stands for Variable Length Subnet Mask where the subnet design uses
more than one mask in the same network which means more than one mask is
used for different subnets of a single class A, B, C or a network.

The biggest advantage of VLSM Subnetting is that, instead of forcing us to use a

fixed size for all segments, it allows us to choose the individual size for each
segment. This flexibility reduces the IP wastage. We can choose the size of
subnet which closely matches with our requirement.

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Difference Between FLSM & VLSM
FLSM (Fixed Length Subnet Masks) Subnetting
All subnets are equal in size.
All subnets have equal number of hosts.
All subnets use same subnet mask.
It is easy in configuration and administration.
It wastes a lot of IP addresses.
It supports both classfull and classless routing
protocols.
VLSM (Variable Length Subnet Masks) Subnetting
Subnets are variable in size.
Subnets have variable number of hosts.
Subnets use different subnet masks.
It is complex in configuration and administration.
It wastes minimum IP addresses.
It supports only classless routing protocols.
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VLSM Procedure
Suppose we have an IP address: 192.168.2.0/24
And we need to create 4 subnets using following host requirements:
1st subnet= 120
2nd subnet = 60
3rd subnet = 30
4th subnet = 30

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Step 1: Calculate Required Host Bit.
  the first subnet it is given 120 IP addresses is required but 1 IP is required for Network address and
For
another 1 is for Broadcast address. So total requirement is 120+2=122 IP addresses.
For providing that much value we have to compare like this way: if,

From here we can get that 7 Host bits are required.

So, Host bit = 7
These are not possible

=> 128 This is possible

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Step 2: Find out Network bit with the
help of the given formula

Network bit= (32 – Host bit)

In this case Network bit = 32 – 7 =25

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 Step 3: Calculate updated subnet
mask
As we all know network bit is represented by 1 and Host bit is represented by 0. Now we have the updated subnet mask:
11111111.11111111.11111111.10000000
255 . 255 . 255 . 128
Now, we will find the range using the formula which we have used in FLSM, i.e.
Range = Maximum Subnet Mask – Updated Subnet Mask

255.255.255.255
- 255.255.255.128 Network Address 192.168.2.0
0 . 0 . 0 .127 First Host Address 192.168.2.1
Last Host Address 192.168.2.126
Network Block for the 1st subnet is 192.168.2.0 to 192.168.2.127 Broadcast Address 192.168.2.127
Now repeat these three steps for remaining subnets!

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 Calculation of 2nd Subnet
For
  the Second subnet it is given 60 IP addresses is required but 1 IP is required for Network address and
another 1 is for Broadcast address. So total requirement is 60+2=62 IP addresses.
=> 64 62
Host bit = 6
Network bit = 32 - 6 = 26
Subnet mask: 11111111.11111111.11111111.11000000
Network Address 192.168.2.128
255 . 255 . 255 . 192
First Host Address 192.168.2.129
Range = 255.255.255.255 Last Host Address 192.168.2.190
- 255.255.255.192 Broadcast Address 192.168.2.191
0. 0. 0. 63

Network Block for the 2nd subnet is 192.168.2.128 to 192.168.2.191

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 Calculation of 3rd Subnet
For
  the Third subnet it is given 30 IP addresses is required but 1 IP is required for Network address and
another 1 is for Broadcast address. So total requirement is 30+2=32 IP addresses.
=> 32 32
Host bit = 5
Network bit = 32 - 5 = 27
Subnet mask: 11111111.11111111.11111111.11100000
255 . 255 . 255 . 224 Network Address 192.168.2.192
First Host Address 192.168.2.193
Range = 255.255.255.255
Last Host Address 192.168.2.222
- 255.255.255.224
Broadcast Address 192.168.2.223
0. 0. 0. 31

Network Block for the 3rd subnet is 192.168.2.192 to 192.168.2.223

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Calculation of 4th Subnet
For
  the Forth subnet it is given 30 IP addresses is required but 1 IP is required for Network address and
another 1 is for Broadcast address. So total requirement is 30+2=32 IP addresses.
=> 32 32
Host bit = 5
Network bit = 32 - 5 = 27
Subnet mask: 11111111.11111111.11111111.11100000
255 . 255 . 255 . 224 Network Address 192.168.2.224
First Host Address 192.168.2.225
Range = 255.255.255.255
Last Host Address 192.168.2.254
- 255.255.255.224
Broadcast Address 192.168.2.255
0. 0. 0. 31

Network Block for the 4th subnet is 192.168.2.224 to 192.168.2.255

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Thank You

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