IP Subnetting: How to Determine Subnets, Hosts, and Subnet Masks for 50 Hosts Per Subnetwork

As a Google SEOer, it's important to understand the intricacies of IP subnetting to effectively use IP addresses for network planning and management. One common task involves determining the number of subnets and the number of valid hosts per subnet when you have a given IP address and a specific number of hosts required per subnetwork. In this article, we will explore the process of subnetting the IP address 193.100.100.0/24 to accommodate 50 hosts per subnetwork.

Understanding the Given IP Address

The given IP address is 193.100.100.0/24. This notation means that the first 24 bits are dedicated to the network address and the remaining 8 bits are available for the host addresses. Decoding the prefix, we see that the network part is 193.100.100.0, and the first 24 bits are 11000001011110000110010010000000. This is indicated by the /24 notation, where the last 8 bits can be used for hosts.

Subnetting Requirements and Calculations

Given the requirement of 50 hosts per subnetwork, we need to determine the appropriate subnet mask and the number of subnets that can be created. Let's begin by calculating the number of bits required to accommodate 50 hosts.

For 50 hosts, the smallest power of 2 that is equal to or greater than 50 is 26 64. This means we need 6 bits for the host part, which leaves us with 2 bits for the subnet part. This will allow us to create 4 subnets (22 4).

Step-by-Step Calculation

Subnet Mask: With 6 bits allocated to the hosts and 2 bits to the subnet, the subnet mask is calculated as 24 6 30 bits. Therefore, the subnet mask is /30, which translates to 255.255.255.248. Subnet Calculation: After allocating 30 bits for the network and host parts, the remaining bits are 24 - 30 8 -6 (since we need to account for the additional 2 bits). This means the subnet mask is /26, which is the smallest subnet mask that allows for 50 hosts per subnetwork, providing 62 total hosts per subnet (2^6 - 2). Total Subnets: Since we are using a /26 subnet mask, we can create 4 subnets (2^2 4), each with 62 valid hosts, but we only require 50 hosts per subnet. Therefore, we need to use /27 (which is 2^3 subnets, each with 30 valid hosts), or /28 (2^4 subnets, each with 14 valid hosts).

Given the requirement to fit 50 hosts, /26 is not sufficient. We need to choose the next suitable subnet mask, which is /27, providing 62 hosts per subnet, and /28, providing 30 hosts per subnet. Since 50 is closer to 62 than 30, we will use /27 to accommodate 50 hosts per subnet, leaving 12 valid hosts unused per subnet.

Practical Considerations and Network Addressing

When dividing a /24 into several /27 subnets, the number of subnets you get is 23 8 subnets. Each /27 subnet will have the following characteristics:

255.255.255.224 as the subnet mask 62 total hosts (14 usable hosts per subnet) 50 valid hosts per subnet

For practical routing between these subnets, you would need to configure a router or a Layer 3 switch to route traffic between the different subnets. This is typically done by defining a Gateway of Last Resort (GoLR) or configuring static routes on the router interfaces to direct traffic to the correct subnet.

Conclusion and Further Reading

Understanding IP subnetting is crucial for managing large networks efficiently. By following the steps outlined above, you can determine the appropriate subnet mask and number of valid hosts to fit your network requirements. In this case, using a /27 subnet mask provides the necessary 50 hosts per subnet, and you can create 8 subnets.

For further reading, consider exploring more on subnetting concepts, such as VLANs, routing protocols, and network segmentation strategies.

Alex Johnson

Updated on: October 20, 2023