What Is Subnetting?
Subnetting is the technique of dividing a network into two or more smaller networks. In Subnetting we create multiple small manageable networks from a single large IP network. This increases routing, enhances the security of the network and reduces the size of the broadcast domain. Subnetting also ensures that traffic destined for a device within a subnet trays in that subnet a factor that reduces congestion.
In addition, Subnetting helps in efficiently allocating IP addresses and prevents large numbers of IP addresses from going unused. Subnets are usually set up geographically for particular offices or for particular teams within a business to allow their network traffic to stay within the location.
What You Need To Know About Subnetting
- Subnetting is a technique of dividing a network into two or more sub-networks.
- Computers that belong to a subnet are addressed with an identical most-significant bit group in their IP addresses.
- Subnetting is implemented via Variable-length subnet masking.
- Subnetting helps to reduce the address depletion.
- In Subnetting, the mask bits are removed towards the right of the default mask.
- In Subnetting, the network address’s number of bits are significantly increased.
What Is Supernetting?
Supernetting is a technique whereby multiple networks are combined into a bigger network referred to as Supernet or Super-network. Supernetting is also referred to as route summarization and route aggregation.
Supernetting is mainly used in route summarization where routes to multiple networks with similar network prefixes are combined into a single routing entry with the routing entry pointing to a Super network, encompassing all the networks. This significantly reduces the size of routing tables and also the size of routing updates exchanged by routing protocols. Supernetting, however, can introduce interoperability issues and other risks.
What You Need To Know About Supernetting
- Supernetting is a technique of aggregating various networks to form to form one single large network.
- Supernetting is implemented via classless inter-domain routing.
- Supernetting helps to simplify and fasten the routing process.
- In Supernetting, the movement of the masked bits is towards the left of the default mask.
- In Supernetting, the host address’s number of bits are significantly increased.
- Both Subnetting and Supernetting help to arrange a collection of IP addresses.
Also Read: Difference Between Router And Bridge
Difference Between Subnetting And Supernetting In Tabular Form
| BASIS OF COMPARISON | SUBNETTING | SUPERNETTING |
| Description | Subnetting is a technique of dividing a network into two or more sub-networks. | Supernetting is a technique of aggregating various networks to form to form one single large network. |
| Implementation | Subnetting is implemented via Variable-length subnet masking. | Supernetting is implemented via classless inter-domain routing. |
| Importance | Subnetting helps to reduce the address depletion. | Supernetting helps to simplify and fasten the routing process. |
| Mask Bits | In Subnetting, the mask bits are removed towards the right of the default mask. | In Supernetting, the movement of the masked bits is towards the left of the default mask. |
| Effect | In Subnetting, the network address’s number of bits are significantly increased. | In Supernetting, the host address’s number of bits are significantly increased. |