Table of Contents Page No
1. Introduction………………………………………………………………………1
2. Description……………………………………………………………………….1
3. Discussion………………………………………………………………………..2
4. Advantages……………………………………………………………………….2
5. Usage……………………………………………………………………………..2
6. Disadvantages…………………………………………………………………….2
7. Reserved IPs in Each Subnet……………………………………………………..3
8. Subnet Calculations and Tables…………………………………………………..3
9. Conclusion………………………………………………………………………..4
10. References…………………………………………………………………………5
1. Introduction
Variable Length Subnet Masking (VLSM) is a subnetting technique used to allocate IP addresses
more efficiently. Unlike Fixed Length Subnet Masking (FLSM), VLSM allows the creation of
subnets of varying sizes from a single IP block. This approach is essential in modern networking,
particularly in IPv4 environments, where conserving address space is critical.
2. Description
In this lab, VLSM is applied to the IP block 192.168.100.0/24 to meet the specific host
requirements of different departments. Subnetting is performed starting from the largest
requirement to the smallest to ensure optimal utilization.
Given Host Requirements:
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Department Required Hosts
Sales 100
HR 50
IT 25
Admin 10
3. Discussion
VLSM works through the following steps:
Determine the required number of IPs per subnet.
Assign subnet masks to provide the exact number of usable IPs needed.
Avoid IP wastage by allocating smaller blocks to smaller subnets.
Allocate addresses sequentially to prevent overlaps.
Each subnet consists of:
Network Address (first IP)
Broadcast Address (last IP)
Usable Host Addresses = 2ⁿ – 2 (where n is the number of host bits)
4. Advantages
Efficient IP Utilization: Matches address space to actual need.
Custom Subnet Sizes: Supports networks with varied requirements.
Scalability: Allows easy network expansion.
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Route Summarization Support: Improves routing efficiency.
IPv4 Conservation: Essential for limited address space.
5. Usage
VLSM is widely used in:
Enterprise Networks: Different departments with different capacity needs.
ISPs: Allocating subnets to customers.
Campus Networks: Interconnecting segments efficiently.
Routing Protocols: Such as OSPF and EIGRP that support classless addressing.
6. Disadvantages
Complex Planning: Requires accurate calculations.
Higher Management Overhead: Especially in large-scale networks.
Legacy Protocol Limitation: Not supported by older protocols like RIPv1.
Challenging Troubleshooting: Smaller subnets can complicate diagnostics.
7. Reserved IPs in Each Subnet
Department Network Address Broadcast Address
Sales 192.168.100.0 192.168.100.127
HR 192.168.100.128 192.168.100.191
IT 192.168.100.192 192.168.100.223
Admin 192.168.100.224 192.168.100.239
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IT Department – 25 Hosts
Needs 32 IPs → /27
Network: 192.168.100.192
Broadcast: 192.168.100.223
Usable IPs: 30
Host Range: 192.168.100.193 – 192.168.100.222
Admin Department – 10 Hosts
Needs 16 IPs → /28
Network: 192.168.100.224
Broadcast: 192.168.100.239
Usable IPs: 14
Host Range: 192.168.100.225 – 192.168.100.238
IT – 25 Hosts
Needs 32 IPs → /27
Network: 192.168.100.192
Broadcast: 192.168.100.223
Usable IPs: 30
Host Range: 192.168.100.193 – 192.168.100.222
Admin – 10 Hosts
Needs 16 IPs → /28
Network: 192.168.100.224
Broadcast: 192.168.100.239
Usable IPs: 14
Host Range: 192.168.100.225 – 192.168.100.238
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Summary Table:
Network Broadcast Usable Host Usable
Department Subnet Mask
Address Address Range Hosts
255.255.255.128 192.168.100.1 –
Sales 192.168.100.0 192.168.100.127 126
(/25) 192.168.100.126
255.255.255.192 192.168.100.129 –
HR 192.168.100.128 192.168.100.191 62
(/26) 192.168.100.190
255.255.255.224 192.168.100.193 –
IT 192.168.100.192 192.168.100.223 30
(/27) 192.168.100.222
255.255.255.240 192.168.100.225 –
Admin 192.168.100.224 192.168.100.239 14
(/28) 192.168.100.238
9. Conclusion
This lab exercise showed how VLSM allows flexible subnetting tailored to specific host
requirements, optimizing IP address usage. By applying different subnet masks within the same
address block, networks become more efficient and scalable. While VLSM requires careful
planning, its benefits—especially in IPv4 conservation—make it an essential technique for
network administrators.
10. References
1. Forouzan, B.A., Data Communications and Networking, 5th Edition
2. Todd Lammle, CCNA Routing and Switching Study Guide, Wiley
3. Cisco Networking Academy – Subnetting and VLSM
4. https://www.geeksforgeeks.org/introduction-of-variable-length-subnet-mask-vlsm/
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5. https://www.subnettingpractice.com/
6. RFC 1817 – Address Allocation for Private Internets
