Chapter 5, Problem 7Q

Explanation of Solution

Subnet:

• Subnet divides the network into logical pieces. This process is known as subnetting.
• Systems or computers can communicate directly with each other if they belongs to the same subnet or subnetwork.
• The computers which are outside of a subnet can communicate with other computers only through routers.

Network needs subnet because of the following reasons:

• The main reason for subnetting is that it helps to reduce network congestion.
• An IP address consists of two network segments; Network part and Host part.
• Subnetting is very useful to allocate a single network number to a large number of network segments within the same Local Area Network (LAN).
• Example:
  • University has received a set of addresses like 128.192.xx.xx to assign unique address for all the computers in the LAN starting with same 3 digits.
  • Business school might be assigned with an address starting from 128...