CCNA

Variable Length Subnet Mask

(VLSM)
 What is VLSM?
A Variable Length Subnet Mask (VLSM) is a means of
allocating IP addressing resources to subnets
according to their individual need rather than some
general network-wide rule.

VLSM allows an organization to use more than one

subnet mask within the same network address space.
It is often referred to as ‘subnetting a subnet’, and
can be used to maximize addressing efficiency.

Large subnets are created for addressing LANs and

small subnets are created for WAN links (a 30 bit
mask is used to create subnets with only two host).

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 Subnetting vs. VLSM
• Subnetting allows you to divide big networks
into smaller, equal-sized slices.

• VLSM allows you to divide big networks into

smaller, different-sized slices. This enables
you to make maximum use of your valuable
IP address space.

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 Addressing a Network with
Standard Subnetting
• Site A has two Ethernet networks
• Site B had one Ethernet network
• Site C had one Ethernet network
Site A Site B Site C

207.21.24.0 /24
25 users 25 users 10 users 8 users
How many network addresses are needed?

How many hosts are needed for the largest LAN?

How many bits need to be borrowed to address this

network?

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 Addressing a Network with
Standard Subnetting
• Site A has two Ethernet networks Site A Site B Site C

• Site B had one Ethernet network

• Site C had one Ethernet network 25 users 25 users 10 users 8 users

If we borrow 3 bits from a class C address, that will give

us eight networks. Each network will have 30 usable
addresses.
It will take four network addresses to accommodate the
Ethernet networks at each site. That leaves us with four
extra networks.
There is also a point-to-point WAN connection between
each site. These two connections will take up two of the
remaining networks.
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 Addressing a Network with Standard
Subnetting
Borrowing 3 bits will meet the current needs of the
company, but it leaves little room for growth.
Each network will have 30 usable addresses, including
the point-to-point WAN links (which only require two
addresses).
Bits
Subnet # Subnet Address
Masked
207.21.24.0
0 207.21.24.0 /27 Site A Site B Site C
1 207.21.24.32 /27
2 207.21.24.64 /27
3 207.21.24.96 /27
25 users 25 users 10 users 8 users
4 207.21.24.128 /27
5 207.21.24.160 /27
6 207.21.24.192 /27
7 207.21.24.224 /27

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Subnetting in a Box
To begin, in a 0
class C network
there are 256
addresses. When
we subnet the
address, we break
it down in to
smaller units or
subnets. 256 addresses

255
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Subnetting in a Box
If we were to 0 128
borrow 1 bit, it
would break the
256 addresses in
to two parts
(networks) with
each part (subnet)
having 128
addresses. 128 addresses 128 addresses
The subnet mask
would be
255.255.255.128.

127 255
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Subnetting in a Box
If we were to 0 128
borrow 2 bits, it
would break each
of these 2
networks in half 64 addresses 64 addresses
again. This would
give us 4
networks, each
with 64 addresses. 63 191
64 192
The subnet mask
would now be
255.255.255.192.
64 addresses 64 addresses

127 255
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Subnetting in a Box
If we were to 0 32 128 160
borrow 3 bits, it
would break each
of these 4 32 32 32 32
networks in half addresses addresses addresses addresses
again. This would
give us 8
networks, each
31 63 159 191
with 32 addresses.
64 96 192 224
The subnet mask
would now be
255.255.255.224.
32 32 32 32
addresses addresses addresses addresses

95 127 223 255

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Subnetting in a Box
If we were to 0 32 128 160
borrow 4 bits, it 16 16 16 16
would break each addresses addresses addresses addresses
of these 8 15 47 143 175
networks in half 16 144
48 176
again. This would
give us 16 16 16 16 16
networks, each addresses addresses addresses addresses
31 63 159 191
with 16 addresses.
64 96 192 224
The subnet mask
16 16 16 16
would now be
255.255.255.240. addresses addresses addresses addresses
79 111 207 239
80 112 208 240
16 16 16 16
addresses addresses addresses addresses
95 127 223 255
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 Addressing a Network Using VLSM
• When using VLSM to subnet an address, not all of the
subnets have to be the same size.
• A different subnet mask may be applied to some of the
subnets to further subnet the address.
• In order to take advantage of VLSM, the proper routing
protocol must be selected.
• Not all routing protocols share subnetting information in
their routing table updates.
Classful Routing Protocols Classless Routing Protocols
(do not share subnet info) (do share subnet info)
RIP v1 RIP v2
IGRP EIGRP
OSPF
IS-IS
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 Addressing a Network Using VLSM
To begin subnetting this network using VLSM, identify
the LAN with the largest number of hosts. Subnet the
address 207.21.24.0 /24 based on this information.
• Site A has two Ethernet networks (25 hosts each)
• Site B had one Ethernet network (10 hosts)
• Site C had one Ethernet network (8 hosts)

Bits
Subnet # Subnet Address
Masked Site A Site B Site C
0 207.21.24.0 /27
1 207.21.24.32 /27
2 207.21.24.64 /27
3 207.21.24.96 /27
25 users 25 users 10 users 8 users
4 207.21.24.128 /27
5 207.21.24.160 /27
6 207.21.24.192 /27
7 207.21.24.224 /27
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 Addressing a Network Using VLSM
Subnet 1 & 2 can be used to address Site A Ethernet
networks. Subnet 5 can be subnetted to accommodate
Site B & C Ethernet networks. Subnet 6 can be subnetted
to accommodate the WAN links. Site A Site B Site C

Subnet # Subnet Address

0 207.21.24.0 /27 25 users 25 users 10 users 8 users

1 207.21.24.32 /27
Site A Sub-subnet 0 207.21.24.160 /28 Site B
2 207.21.24.64 /27
Free 3 207.21.24.96 /27 Sub-subnet 1 207.21.24.176 /28 Site C
Addresses 4 207.21.24.128 /27
Site B & C 5 207.21.24.160 /27
Sub-subnet 0 207.21.24.192 /30 WAN
Sub-subnet 1 207.21.24.196 /30 1&2
WAN links 6 207.21.24.192 /27
Sub-subnet 2 207.21.24.200 /30
7 207.21.24.224 /27
Sub-subnet 3 207.21.24.204 /30
Sub-subnet 4 207.21.24.208 /30 Free
Sub-subnet 5 207.21.24.212 /30 Addresses
Sub-subnet 6 207.21.24.216 /30
Sub-subnet 7 207.21.24.220 /30
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 Addressing a Network Using VLSM
Through applying VLSM, the topology was able to be
addressed and still have two complete subnets available
for future growth.

Site A Site B Site C

207.21.24.192 207.21.24.196
/30 /30

207.21.24.32 /27 207.21.24.64 /27 207.21.24.160 207.21.24.176

/28 /28

25 users 25 users 10 users 8 users

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 Addressing a Network Using VLSM
Exercise 1
Your company has been assigned IP network 195.39.71.0 /24.
Given that headquarters (60 hosts) is connected to five branch
offices (12 hosts each) by a WAN link, and to an ISP (the ISP
owns the addresses on that link), determine an appropriate IP
addressing scheme.
Headquarters
60 users ISP

Branch 1 Branch 2 Branch 3 Branch 4 Branch 5

12 users 12 users 12 users 12 users 12 users

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Given the IP 0 128
address
195.39.71.0 /24,
subnet according
to the largest
subnet needed.
(Headquarters 60
hosts)
63 191

You would need to 64 192

borrow 2 bits or
/26. This would
give you 4
networks with 64
host addresses on
each subnet.
127 255
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Playing it safe, we 0 128
will not use the
first subnet
(subnet 0).

We will start 64 192

addressing with
Headquarters
195.39.71.64 /26.
Headquarters 60 hosts
needs 60 hosts, so 26 bit mask or /26
we will assign (255.255.255.192)
them .64 - .127.

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The 5 Branch 0 128 160
offices only need Branch 1 Branch 3
12 hosts 12 hosts
12 hosts each. /28 /28
(255.255.255.240) (255.255.255.240)
The next address
144 176
block available is Branch 2 Branch 4
the .128 - .191 12 hosts 12 hosts
block (64 /28 /28
(255.255.255.240) (255.255.255.240)
addresses). Here
we will apply 64 192
VLSM.
Headquarters
Using a /28 mask 60 hosts
will give us 16
26 bit mask or /26
hosts at each
(255.255.255.192)
location. This will
take care of 4 of
the Branch offices.
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To obtain a block 0 128 160
for Branch 5, we Branch 1 Branch 3
12 hosts 12 hosts
will need to subnet /28 /28
the .192 - .255 (255.255.255.240) (255.255.255.240)

block using a /28

144 176
mask. Branch 2 Branch 4
12 hosts 12 hosts
/28 /28
(255.255.255.240) (255.255.255.240)

64 192 224
Branch 5
12 hosts
Headquarters
/28
60 hosts (255.255.255.240)

26 bit mask or /26

208 240
(255.255.255.192)

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Now we need to 0 128 160
address the 5 Branch 1 Branch 3
12 hosts 12 hosts
WAN links that /28 /28
connect to the (255.255.255.240) (255.255.255.240)

Branch offices.
144 176
These are point-to- Branch 2 Branch 4
point connections 12 hosts 12 hosts
/28 /28
and only require 2 (255.255.255.240) (255.255.255.240)
addresses.
64 192 224 232
Branch 5 WAN
5
Here we will use Headquarters 12 hosts
/28 228 236
a /30 mask to 60 hosts (255.255.255.240)
further subnet the
26 bit mask or /26
subnets. 208 216 240
(255.255.255.192) WAN WAN
1 3

212 220
WAN WAN
2 4

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Subnet 0 could be 0 128 160
used later if Branch 1 Branch 3
12 hosts 12 hosts
needed for future /28 /28
growth of HQ or (255.255.255.240) (255.255.255.240)

for more Branch

144 176
offices. Branch 2 Branch 4
12 hosts 12 hosts
/28 /28
(255.255.255.240) (255.255.255.240)

64 192 224 232

Branch 5 WAN
5
12 hosts
Headquarters
/28 228 236
60 hosts (255.255.255.240)

26 bit mask or /26

208 216 240
(255.255.255.192) WAN WAN
1 3

212 220
WAN WAN
2 4

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 Applying the Addresses to the Topology

Address
195.39.71.64 /26 provided by ISP

195.39.71.216 /30
/ 30 19
5.3
/30
08

19
9.7
1 .2 12
1.2

5.3
9.7 24
1 .2

5 .3

9.7
19 /3 0
9.7

1.2
5.3

20
19

/3 0

195.39.71.128 /28 195.39.71.144 /28 195.39.71.160 /28 195.39.71.176 /28 195.39.71.192 /28

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