Lesson 1:

What IS Subnetting? Why Do We Need It?

From: Clint Garrett
United States

In fact, why is it so important when studying computer networking?

Take A Look At This Picture…

If everyone in this crowded place decided they wanted to talk and communicate at the same time, do you really think anything productive will be done?

More than likely NO

Which leads to the same question on a computer network…If every device is communicating at the same time, does any OTHER device hear it?

If a medium-large computer network isn’t segmented and devices and users grouped together with related tasks, no device will understand or be easily able to communicate with any other device.

Enter Subnetting…

When we subnet (create sub-networks) on a larger computer network, we are keeping like devices, groups and users primarily communicating with each other UNTIL they need to communicate with devices, groups and/or users in another group.

This keeps the broadcasts and chatter down to a minimum. It also allows an administrator on a network to make sure the bandwidth isn’t being constantly filled up across all devices to slow traffic down.

For example, do you want users and devices in the HR department being able to easily communicate with those in the Sales Department? Probably not.

This segmentation using subnets (subnetting) not only makes a larger  computer network more efficient, it makes it more secure.