What is the Difference Between Subnetting and Supernetting?
🆚 Go to Comparative Table 🆚The main difference between subnetting and supernetting lies in the way they manage IP addresses in a network.
Subnetting:
- Subnetting is the process of dividing a single large network into multiple smaller subnetworks, known as subnets.
- This technique helps to increase the efficiency of routing and reduce the size of routing tables.
- Subnetting is implemented via Variable-length Subnet Masking (VLSM).
- In subnetting, network addresses' bits are increased.
Supernetting:
- Supernetting is the opposite of subnetting, where multiple small networks are combined into a larger network, called a Supernetwork or Supernet.
- This technique is mainly used for route summarization, which simplifies the routing process and reduces the size of routing tables.
- Supernetting is implemented via Classless Interdomain Routing (CIDR).
- In supernetting, host addresses' bits are increased.
In summary, subnetting and supernetting are techniques used to organize IP addresses in a logical order based on the situation. Subnetting divides a large network into smaller subnets, while supernetting combines small networks into a larger one. These strategies are used to increase IP address availability and decrease IP address depletion.
Comparative Table: Subnetting vs Supernetting
The main differences between subnetting and supernetting are as follows:
Subnetting | Supernetting |
---|---|
Subnetting is the process of dividing a network into smaller subnetworks. | Supernetting is the process of combining multiple networks into a larger network. |
Network addresses' bits are increased. | Host addresses' bits are increased. |
Subnetting is implemented via Variable-length subnet masking. | Supernetting is implemented via Classless interdomain routing. |
Subnetting is used to reduce network congestion, improve security, and simplify network management. | Supernetting is used to reduce the size of routing tables, optimize routing performance, and conserve IP address space. |
In summary, subnetting divides a network into smaller subnetworks, while supernetting combines smaller subnetworks into a larger network. Both techniques are used to organize IP addresses in a logical order and have different purposes, with subnetting focusing on network management and security, and supernetting focusing on routing optimization and IP address conservation.
- VLAN vs Subnet
- Subset vs Superset
- Superclass vs Subclass
- Router vs Switch
- Internet Intranet vs Extranet
- SSH vs Telnet
- Bridge vs Router
- LAN vs WAN
- Tethering vs Hotspot
- Public IP vs Private IP
- Firewall vs Router
- Static IP vs Dynamic IP
- Affiliate vs Subsidiary
- IPv4 vs IPv6 Protocols
- Subsets vs Proper Subsets
- CCENT vs CCNA vs CCNP
- Cloning vs Subcloning
- Subsonic vs Supersonic
- Encapsulation vs Tunneling