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DelJo63
Techrepublic has a nice description of supernets; a means to add network devices
without the necessity of extra ROUTE ADD configurations (which does not work in XP/Home).
While the usual 254 devices are sufficient for most of us, the assumption is there's only one router.
Adding multiple routers is wasteful UNLESS there's a specific need, such as adding wireless support
to a wired network (another alternative is an Access Point).
The advantage of a second router is grouping devices and controlling access
via firewall rules;
eg You would very much like to protect your wireless subnet (a.b.d.0 in this example)
so as to exclude all uninvited systems
a.b.d.2 will be allowed access to the system which has these firewall rules.
But getting the discrete IP addresses to flow is a prerequisite to this kind of control.
The secret is the subnet mask.
see article details here
without the necessity of extra ROUTE ADD configurations (which does not work in XP/Home).
From Techrepublic: Why would I want to use supernetting?
ISPs frequently use supernetting to allocate IP addresses most effectively. There may be scenarios where you have many LANS, WLANs, or VLANs that might be optimally suited for supernetting to best administer your network needs. Keep in mind that supernetting introduces complexity to network administration that needs thorough planning, testing, documentation, and administrator competence.
Most new routing equipment and current operating systems support CIDR in their implementation of the TCP/IP protocol. However, before a supernetting implementation, it is critical to ensure that all components of your network are supernetting-aware. This includes operating systems, network services, routers, routing protocols (RIP2, for example does not support CIDR), and any network-based services used on your network.
ISPs frequently use supernetting to allocate IP addresses most effectively. There may be scenarios where you have many LANS, WLANs, or VLANs that might be optimally suited for supernetting to best administer your network needs. Keep in mind that supernetting introduces complexity to network administration that needs thorough planning, testing, documentation, and administrator competence.
Most new routing equipment and current operating systems support CIDR in their implementation of the TCP/IP protocol. However, before a supernetting implementation, it is critical to ensure that all components of your network are supernetting-aware. This includes operating systems, network services, routers, routing protocols (RIP2, for example does not support CIDR), and any network-based services used on your network.
While the usual 254 devices are sufficient for most of us, the assumption is there's only one router.
Adding multiple routers is wasteful UNLESS there's a specific need, such as adding wireless support
to a wired network (another alternative is an Access Point).
The advantage of a second router is grouping devices and controlling access
via firewall rules;
eg You would very much like to protect your wireless subnet (a.b.d.0 in this example)
so as to exclude all uninvited systems
allow all on subnet a.b.c.0 << your wired subnet
allow only a.b.d.2 << your wireless laptop
deny all a.b.d.0 << your wireless subnet
the ordering is significant in the rules and ensure that only the system atallow only a.b.d.2 << your wireless laptop
deny all a.b.d.0 << your wireless subnet
a.b.d.2 will be allowed access to the system which has these firewall rules.
But getting the discrete IP addresses to flow is a prerequisite to this kind of control.
The secret is the subnet mask.
see article details here
