ZyXEL Communications P-660HWP-Dx Network Router User Manual


 
Appendix E IP Subnetting
P-660HWP-Dx User’s Guide
37
By convention, subnet masks always consist of a continuous sequence of ones beginning from
the leftmost bit of the mask, followed by a continuous sequence of zeros, for a total number of
32 bits.
Since the mask is always a continuous number of ones beginning from the left, followed by a
continuous number of zeros for the remainder of the 32 bit mask, you can simply specify the
number of ones instead of writing the value of each octet. This is usually specified by writing
a “/” followed by the number of bits in the mask after the address.
For example, 192.1.1.0 /25 is equivalent to saying 192.1.1.0 with mask 255.255.255.128.
The following table shows all possible subnet masks for a class “C” address using both
notations.
The first mask shown is the class “C” natural mask. Normally if no mask is specified it is
understood that the natural mask is being used.
Example: Two Subnets
As an example, you have a class “C” address 192.168.1.0 with subnet mask of 255.255.255.0.
The first three octets of the address make up the network number (class “C”).
To make two networks, divide the network 192.168.1.0 into two separate subnets by
converting one of the host ID bits of the IP address to a network number bit. The “borrowed”
host ID bit can be either “0” or “1” thus giving two subnets; 192.168.1.0 with mask
255.255.255.128 and 192.168.1.128 with mask 255.255.255.128.
Table 157 Alternative Subnet Mask Notation
SUBNET MASK SUBNET MASK “1” BITS LAST OCTET BIT VALUE
255.255.255.0 /24 0000 0000
255.255.255.128 /25 1000 0000
255.255.255.192 /26 1100 0000
255.255.255.224 /27 1110 0000
255.255.255.240 /28 1111 0000
255.255.255.248 /29 1111 1000
255.255.255.252 /30 1111 1100
Table 158 Two Subnets Example
IP/SUBNET MASK NETWORK NUMBER HOST ID
IP Address 192.168.1. 0
IP Address (Binary) 11000000.10101000.00000001. 00000000
Subnet Mask 255.255.255. 0
Subnet Mask (Binary) 11111111.11111111.11111111. 00000000