To subnet, or not to subnet.

Hi,

I currently have a Class C network which is out growing the 254 hosts
limitation. If I were to change to a Class B network this would be overkill
as I only 6 locations, and 450 hosts. HQ has 200 hosts and the 5 branches
are planned for 50 hosts each. Should I go ahead and subnet, and create a
customized subnet mask of 255.255.255.0 on a Class B to accomodate
everything, or just create 6 Different Class C networks? Which is best?

What are the advantages of having a single network address for all devices
on the same nework as oppose to 6 different network addresses eg. 192.168.1.0
,192.168.2.0 ,192.168.3.0 etc?

Regards,
Sam

Keep network segment at or below 300-250 hosts. The regular 24bit mask/254
hosts segment is perfect. "Classes" don't really mean much anymore.

Use a single 24bit segment (class c) at each of the 6 locations. Stay above
5 in the third octect because the numbers below that are heavily overused
and will bite you in the rear if you ever VPN with other companies and they
use one of those lower numbers.

The two primary reasons for subnetting are:
1. Reduce broadcast. Becomes even more important with slow WAN links between
sites. Use a different segment for each site.
2. Securty,...where ACLs can be used on the LAN Routers to control access
between the segments.

Another reason for them (as in your case) is when the number of hosts
outgrows the segment,...but then that kinda falls under #1 because that
means you are getting over 300-250 where broadcasts cause lost effieciency.

This would be an example of what I would use if given the chance. Notice the
higher numbered third octects to avoid the most overused addresses.
Site #1 = 192.168.100.x
Site #2 = 192.168.101.x
Site #3 = 192.168.102.x
Site #4 = 192.168.103.x
Site #5 = 192.168.104.x
Site #6 = 192.168.105.x

--

Phillip Windell [MCP, MVP, CCNA]
www.wandtv.com


"Sam" <(E-Mail Removed)> wrote in message
news:5800C154-00F6-4B68-BA28-(E-Mail Removed)...
> Hi,
>
> I currently have a Class C network which is out growing the 254 hosts
> limitation. If I were to change to a Class B network this would be
overkill
> as I only 6 locations, and 450 hosts. HQ has 200 hosts and the 5 branches
> are planned for 50 hosts each. Should I go ahead and subnet, and create a
> customized subnet mask of 255.255.255.0 on a Class B to accomodate
> everything, or just create 6 Different Class C networks? Which is best?
>
> What are the advantages of having a single network address for all devices
> on the same nework as oppose to 6 different network addresses eg.
192.168.1.0
> ,192.168.2.0 ,192.168.3.0 etc?
>
> Regards,
> Sam
>