Chapter Summary
Subnetting is a way of segmenting a block of network addresses into two or more subnetworks. From the outside world's perspective, a subnetted address block looks just like a network address blockthe subnetting is only visible and pertinent within the local network.Subnetting works by borrowing bits from the host address field and using them to create subnetwork addresses. Although you rely extensively on decimal numbers and various masks to make IP addressing a bit more user friendly, it is only by seeing and understanding the underlying binary mathematics that you can really make sense of subnetting.Although there are great benefits to subnetting, there is no free lunch. Implementing a subnetting scheme requires a long-term commitment to managing an IP address block carefully. Otherwise, the logic of the original design will quickly deteriorate and you will have a real mess on your hands.