Advantages and Disadvantages of Subnetting - GeeksforGeeks

27 Sep, 2019
Subnetting: Dividing a network into many small Networks is known as Subnetting.Subnetting is useful in many ways like:
It provides security to one network from another network. eg) In an Organisation, code of the Developer department must not be accessed by another department.It may be possible that a particular subnet might need higher network priority than others. For example, a Sales department need to host webcasts or video conferences.In the case of Small networks, maintenance is easy.
It provides security to one network from another network. eg) In an Organisation, code of the Developer department must not be accessed by another department.
It may be possible that a particular subnet might need higher network priority than others. For example, a Sales department need to host webcasts or video conferences.
In the case of Small networks, maintenance is easy.
Along with these advantages, Subnetting also has some disadvantages:
In case of the single network, only three steps are required in order to reach a Process i.e Source Host to Destination Network, Destination Network to Destination Host and then Destination Host to Process.But in the case of Subnetting four steps are required for Inter-Network Communication. i.e Source Host to Destination Network, Destination Network to proper Subnet, then Subnet to Host and finally Host to Process.Hence, it increases Time complexity. In the case of Subnet, more time is required for communication or data transfer.In the case of Single Network only two IP addresses are wasted to represent Network Id and Broadcast address but in case of Subnetting two IP addresses are wasted for each Subnet.Example: If a Network has four Subnets, it means 8 IP addresses are going to waste.Network Id for S1: 200.1.2.0
Broadcast address of S1: 200.1.2.63

Network Id for S2: 200.1.2.64
Broadcast address of S2: 200.1.2.127

Network Id for S3: 200.1.2.128
Broadcast address of S3: 200.1.2.191

Network Id for S4: 200.1.2.192
Direct Broadcast address of S4: 200.1.2.255Hence, we can say that Network size will also decrease. We can’t use our Network completely.Cost of the overall Network also increases. Subnetting requires internal routers, Switches, Hubs, Bridges etc. which are very costly.Subnetting and network management require an experienced network administrator. This adds to the overall cost as well.
In case of the single network, only three steps are required in order to reach a Process i.e Source Host to Destination Network, Destination Network to Destination Host and then Destination Host to Process.But in the case of Subnetting four steps are required for Inter-Network Communication. i.e Source Host to Destination Network, Destination Network to proper Subnet, then Subnet to Host and finally Host to Process.Hence, it increases Time complexity. In the case of Subnet, more time is required for communication or data transfer.
But in the case of Subnetting four steps are required for Inter-Network Communication. i.e Source Host to Destination Network, Destination Network to proper Subnet, then Subnet to Host and finally Host to Process.
Hence, it increases Time complexity. In the case of Subnet, more time is required for communication or data transfer.
In the case of Single Network only two IP addresses are wasted to represent Network Id and Broadcast address but in case of Subnetting two IP addresses are wasted for each Subnet.Example: If a Network has four Subnets, it means 8 IP addresses are going to waste.Network Id for S1: 200.1.2.0
Broadcast address of S1: 200.1.2.63

Network Id for S2: 200.1.2.64
Broadcast address of S2: 200.1.2.127

Network Id for S3: 200.1.2.128
Broadcast address of S3: 200.1.2.191

Network Id for S4: 200.1.2.192
Direct Broadcast address of S4: 200.1.2.255Hence, we can say that Network size will also decrease. We can’t use our Network completely.
Network Id for S1: 200.1.2.0
Broadcast address of S1: 200.1.2.63

Network Id for S2: 200.1.2.64
Broadcast address of S2: 200.1.2.127

Network Id for S3: 200.1.2.128
Broadcast address of S3: 200.1.2.191

Network Id for S4: 200.1.2.192
Direct Broadcast address of S4: 200.1.2.255
Hence, we can say that Network size will also decrease. We can’t use our Network completely.
Cost of the overall Network also increases. Subnetting requires internal routers, Switches, Hubs, Bridges etc. which are very costly.
Subnetting and network management require an experienced network administrator. This adds to the overall cost as well.
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