Each and every device has a unique IP address that consists of two parts: the server or network address and the client or host address. IP addresses can be manually configured (static IP addresses) or configured by a DHCP server. By dividing the IP address into host and network addresses, the subnet mask helps to distinguish between the portions of the address that belong to the network and the devices.
Local devices are linked to external networks by a device known as a gateway or default gateway. This means that a local device sends its packets to the gateway, which forwards them to their destination outside of the local network, when it needs to send data to a device at an IP address on another network.
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What is a Subnet Mask?
When all host bits are set to 0 and all network bits are set to 1, a 32-bit integer known as a subnet mask is produced. The IP address is divided into the network and host addresses in this manner by the subnet mask.
A network address is always assigned the “0” address, while a broadcast address is always assigned the “255” address. Both are set aside for these specific uses and cannot be assigned to hosts.
The Internet Protocol, which is the basic framework used by most networks to enable inter-device communication, is made up of the IP address, subnet mask, gateway, and router.
Subnetting further separates the host part of the IP address into a subnet when an organization needs more subnetworking. Subnet masks are just intended to make subnetting possible. The term “mask” refers to the fact that the IP address is actually hidden by the subnet mask using its own 32-bit value.
Are Subnet and Subnet masks the same thing?
No, they are not the same thing, even though subnet masks are an important aspect of subnets.
A subnet, which is short for subnetwork, is a specialized area of a network that has its own subnet address but shares the network’s IP address. On the other hand, a subnet mask separates the IP address component that belongs to the host and the piece that belongs to the subnet.
How does Subnetting work?
The secret to building computer networks quickly and effectively is subnetting. Effective network management and organization are essential for large companies looking to grow technologically as they continue to expand globally. Resilient networks are complex networks with well-designed paths for traffic to flow across them. All network traffic would flow randomly over all possible routes in the absence of sufficient data paths, leading to bottlenecks and traffic congestion that would affect the network’s performance.
Subnets enable network traffic to go through fewer routers, allowing data packets to follow mini-routes to travel a shorter distance in order to reach their intended destination inside a larger network.
Benefits of Subnetting
Network managers can better manage traffic, data packets, subnets, and routers on their computer networks by using subnetting. It guarantees that IP addresses are used effectively, improves security, and increases network performance overall.
1. Efficient Data Routing
On a larger network, broadcast traffic is a major bottleneck. Broadcasting in this setting suggests that data packets reach every network node. You can divide up these broadcast domains into more manageable segments by using subnetting. Data routing becomes direct and efficient as a result of the broadcast traffic possibly interacting with fewer nodes.
In simpler terms, subnets provide the simultaneous interaction and communication of several devices on various smaller networks, which lowers the amount of communication traffic on the larger network where various instruments interact.
2. Enhanced Network Security
Maintaining multiple subnets instead of a single, larger network has several security benefits if you’re managing a large local network with lots of linked devices and a lot of network traffic.
Most importantly, an attack will only impact that particular network segment if it compromises a subnet. By using subnets, attackers would only be able to see other devices on the same subnet instead of seeing all devices on the same network.
When a local area network is divided into smaller networks, a network manager can additionally use ACLs, QoS, or route maps to manage traffic flow, which makes it easier to recognize and respond to threats.
3. Increased Lifespan of IPv4
Getting an IP address was simple in the early days of the internet. The pool of available IP addresses rapidly started to shrink since IPv4 addresses are finite.
In search of an IP address solution, clever people discovered that a single public IP address might be made more useful by using subnetting. Subnetting enables several private IP addresses to coexist within a single IP network as opposed to giving each device a distinct IP address. As a result, every device connected to an IP network has an IP address that consists of two parts: one for the subnet and one for the network as a whole.
Why Choose LeaseIPx for Subnetting
Large ranges can be split up into smaller subnets via LeaseIPx, which is especially useful for companies who value smaller network segments.
With this much flexibility, businesses can customize their network architecture to meet their unique requirements, which boosts productivity and performance.
Additionally, you can use LeaseIPx’s wider subnet into AWS, Google Cloud, Microsoft Azure, or any other cloud architecture that allows Bring Your Own IP (BYOIP) by utilizing the BYOIP capability. Within your account, you can then easily divide it into smaller ranges.
Conclusion
It could be tough to comprehend the meaning of a subnet mask unless you start learning about IP addresses and the rationale for subnetting in networks. This is why there is some complexity involved in defining a subnet mask.
Subnet masks are required if you choose to use subnetting in your network in order to guarantee that incoming traffic is directed to and from the appropriate host devices. Subnet masks are essential to a dependable and efficient system, even if it is operated on a modest scale.
