Techniques to master IP Subnetting - Part 1

Let's start with the "why" first. Why should we put in the effort to master subnetting? The answer is simple - it is essential to master subnetting if one wants to pursue a career in computer networking. Why are we writing a post on the topic? Our purpose is simply to demonstrate that subnetting is not as challenging a topic as it might sometimes seem.

The first step in simplifying everything related to subnetting is to identify the key outcomes we are aiming for:

• Identify network boundaries (Network and Broadcast Addresses) from an IP Address and Subnet Mask
• Break up a range of IP Addresses into a number of smaller ranges (subnets)
• Summarize a number of contiguous subnets into a single network

Identifying network boundaries

Of the three outcomes we outlined above, identifying network boundaries is the most important one. This forms the basis of designing IP-based routed networks. This post will focus exclusively on this outcome. Once we master this outcome, the other 2 outcomes mentioned above become much simpler to master.

We can define our requirement as follows:

Given an IP Address and Subnet Mask, we want to be able to quickly determine the Network Address and Broadcast Address of the network defined by the IP Address / Subnet Mask combination.

Pro Tip #1: Understand binary numbers - but don't get hung up on them

Each digit of a binary number can one of 2 values - 0 or 1. Each digit is referred to as a bit. The same number (for example the number 123) requires many more digits to represent in binary (1111011 - 7 digits) than in decimal (123 - 3 digits).

8 binary digits (bits) can represent 256 different values (the decimal numbers 0 to 255). We use 8-bit blocks to store data in digital form. A block of 8 bits is often referred to as a byte - but more correctly as an 'octet'.

An IP Address consists of 4 octets. A Subnet Mask also consists of 4 octets. An IP Address and Subnet Mask combine together to define the network boundary. The Subnet Mask consists of a string of consecutive 1s (from left to right) followed by a string of consecutive 0s to make up 32 bits. The number of 1s in the Subnet Mask define the portion of the IP Address that makes up the Network ID. The remaining bits of the IP Address make up the Host ID. The Network Address is defined by the value of the IP Address when all of the Host ID bits are set to 0. The Broadcast Address is the value when all of the Host ID bits are set to 1.

Here is an example with the IP Address 192.168.0.1, Subnet Mask 255.255.255.0. The first 24 bits of the IP Address represent the Network ID, the remaining 8 bits represent the Host ID.

The Network Address is 192.168.100.0 - all of the Host ID bits are set to 0:

The Broadcast Address is 192.168.100.255 - all of the Host ID bits are set to 1:

Does this mean that we need to convert a Decimal IP Address and Subnet Mask into Binary every time we want to figure out the network and broadcast address? Fortunately, the answer is no! We can quickly figure out the Network Address and Broadcast Address given any IP Address and Subnet Mask without ever needing to convert anything into binary!

Pro Tip #2: Recognize the 9 possible values in any octet of a Subnet Mask

Subnet Masks range from 0.0.0.0 to 255.255.255.255 - however, a Subnet Mask cannnot have any random value within this range. Each octet of a Subnet Mask can have one of only 9 possible values:

0

128

192

224

240

248

252

254

255

A detailed explanation of IP Addresses and Subnet Masks is covered here.

Terminology - Interesting Octet

While reading up on Subnetting, you may have come across the term "Interesting Octet". For the purposes of this post, we will define the term as follows:

Given an IP Address and Subnet Mask, the "Interesting Octet" is the first octet of the Subnet Mask whose value is not 255.

Pro Tip #3: Become very familiar with the powers of 2 (and their multiples)

The key to becoming adept at subnetting is to become really familiar with the powers of 2 (up to 28). You should be able to easily recognize the following numbers:

0

2

4

8

16

32

64

128

256

Subtracting these values from 256, you should be able to quickly recognize the following values:

	256	256	256	256	256	256	256	256
	-2	-4	-8	-16	-32	-64	-128	-256
	254	252	248	240	224	192	128	0

These values above are values found in the Interesting Octet of a Subnet Mask. What is the relationship between the Interesting Octet of a Subnet Mask and the Interesting Octet of the corresponding Network Address?

The Interesting Octet of the Network Address will be a multiple of 256 - interesting octet of the Subnet Mask as the following table shows:

		256	256	256	256	256	256	256	256
		-2	-4	-8	-16	-32	-64	-128	-256
	Interesting Octet of Subnet Mask:	254	252	248	240	224	192	128	0
	Interesting Octet of Network Address:	multiple of 2	multiple of 4	multiple of 8	multiple of 16	multiple of 32	multiple of 64	multiple of 128	0	Interesting Octet of Network Address:

Pro Tip #4: Understand and remember the table above - the relationship between the Interesting Octet of a Subnet Mask, and the Interesting Octet of the corresponding Network Address

For example, if the Interesting Octet of the Subnet Mask is 128, the corresponding Interesting Octet of the Network Address will be one of the following (multiples of 128 that are less than 256):

Interesting Octet of Subnet Mask: 128
Interesting Octet of Network Address:	0	128

If the Interesting Octet of the Subnet Mask is 192, the corresponding Interesting Octet of the Network Address will be one of the following (multiples of 64 that are less than 256):

Interesting Octet of Subnet Mask: 192
Interesting Octet of Network Address:	0	64	128	192

We can build similar tables for other Subnet Masks to come up with a complete list as follows:

Interesting Octet of Subnet Mask: 128
Interesting Octet of Network Address:	0	128
(Multiples of 128)

Interesting Octet of Subnet Mask: 192
Interesting Octet of Network Address:	0	64	128	192
(Multiples of 64)

Interesting Octet of Subnet Mask: 224
Interesting Octet of Network Address:	0	32	64	96	128	160	192	224
(Multiples of 32)

Interesting Octet of Subnet Mask: 240
Interesting Octet of Network Address:	0 16 32 48 64 80 96 112 128 144 160 176 192 208 224 240
(Multiples of 16)

Interesting Octet of Subnet Mask: 248
Interesting Octet of Network Address:	0 8 16 24 32 40 48 56 64 72 80 88 96 104 112 120 128 136 144 152 160 168 176 184 192 200 208 216 224 232 240 248
(Multiples of 8)

Interesting Octet of Subnet Mask: 252
Interesting Octet of Network Address:	0 4 8 12 16 20 24 ... ... Multiples of 4 ... ... 228 232 236 240 244 248 252

Interesting Octet of Subnet Mask: 254
Interesting Octet of Network Address:	0 2 4 6 8 10 12 ... ... Multiples of 2 ... ... 242 244 246 248 250 252 254

We have created tables for each possible value in the Interesting Octet of a Subnet Mask. Now what? How or why is this useful? How would we use this?

Given an IP Address and a Subnet Mask, if we want to determine the Network Address we can simplify the steps as follows:

• Look at the Subnet Mask and identify the Interesting Octet. (This is the first octet of the Subnet Mask whose value is something other than 255.)
• Look at the value of the corresponding octet of the IP Address (let's call it x).
• Look through the corresponding table for the Subnet Mask and find the closest value smaller than x - this is the value of the Interesting Octet of the Network Address!
• For any octet of the Subnet Mask that has a value of 0 - the corresponding octet of the Network Address will also be 0.

Let's look at an example. Given the IP Address 192.168.75.15 and Subnet Mask 255.255.192.0, find the Network Address for the subnet.

Solution: Start by writing down the IP Address and Subnet Mask:

IP Address:	192	.	168	.	75	.	15
Subnet Mask:	255	.	255	.	192	.	0

Step 1: Identify the interesting octet. In this case, it is Octet 3 (the first octet of the Subnet Mask whose value is not 255).

IP Address:	192	.	168	.	75	.	15
Subnet Mask:	255	.	255	.	192	.	0

Step 2: Refer to the table for Interesting Octet of Subnet Mask: 192

Interesting Octet of Subnet Mask: 192
Interesting Octet of Network Address:	0	64	128	192

Step 3: For a Subnet Mask value of 192 in the Interesting Octet, the Network Address can have one of 4 different values in the Interesting Octet: 0, 64, 128 or 192. The closest value lesser than or equal to 75 is 64.

Interesting Octet of Subnet Mask: 192
Interesting Octet of Network Address:	0	64	128	192

The Interesting Octet (3rd octet) of the Network Address will be 64.

Network Address:	192	.	168	.	64	.	?
IP Address:	192	.	168	.	75	.	15
Subnet Mask:	255	.	255	.	192	.	0

Step 4: For any octet of the Subnet Mask that is 0, the corresponding octet of the Network Address will also be 0.

Network Address:	192	.	168	.	64	.	0
IP Address:	192	.	168	.	75	.	15
Subnet Mask:	255	.	255	.	192	.	0

We have determined the Network Address for this network. What about the Broadcast Address? What is the quickest way to figure it out?

Simply look at the same table and find the next possible value for the Interesting Octet of the Network Address.

Interesting Octet of Subnet Mask: 192
Interesting Octet of Network Address:	0	64	128	192

In this case, it's 128. The Interesting Octet of the Broadcast Address will be 128 - 1 = 127.

Network Address:	192	.	168	.	64	.	0
IP Address:	192	.	168	.	75	.	15
Subnet Mask:	255	.	255	.	192	.	0
Broadcast Address:	192	.	168	.	127	.	?

For any octet of the Subnet Mask that is 0, the corresponding octet of the Broadcast Address will be 255.

Network Address:	192	.	168	.	64	.	0
IP Address:	192	.	168	.	75	.	15
Subnet Mask:	255	.	255	.	192	.	0
Broadcast Address:	192	.	168	.	127	.	255

We have determined the Broadcast Address for the Network.

Question: Looking at the table below, what if the Interesting Octet of the Network Address had been 192 (instead of 64)? What would the Interesting Octet of the Broadcast Address be?

Interesting Octet of Subnet Mask: 192
Interesting Octet of Network Address:	0	64	128	192

192 is the last value in the table - the Interesting Octet of the Broadcast Address would simply be 255.

Additional examples will help clarify these steps further:

Pro Tip #5: Memorize or Calculate? - Find your balance

Now that we have created all these tables and seen how they can be used to quickly determine network boundaries, it leads us to a question - should we memorize these tables, or calculate them on the fly when we need them? The answer, surprisingly, is both - and neither!

Let me explain what I mean. When you start practicing, you can build out these tables and refer to them as you need. You'll find that the first 2-3 tables (corresponding to multiples of 128, 64 or 32) are somewhat easier to remember. When you get to the multiples of 8, 4 or 2 - there are many more values to remember. The key is to find the balance between memorizing and calculating. Essentially, it's more about recognizing.

What do I mean by recognizing? The trick is to make a note of the Network Address and Broadcast Address every time you calculate these for a network. Over time, you will notice the same numbers repeating int the Interesting Octet. By making a mental note of the answer every time you solve a subnetting problem, you'll find that the relationship outlined in the tables above becomes fairly obvious.

Pro Tip #6: The most important aspect ‐ Practice, practice and more practice!

The goal is to get to the point where the correct answer becomes obvious without even having to consciously think about it. How do we get there? The key lies in practice. The importance of practice cannot be over-stated. After all, we can't get to the point of being able to "recognize" if we don't *practice* recognizing! It is important to note however, that practice alone will not bring the level of mastery desired if you don't attempt to reflect on what you're doing and connect the proverbial dots as you practice!

A complete course on IP Addressing and Subnetting including unlimited hint-driven practice and test questions can be found here: Course 2 - IP Addressing and Subnetting.

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