Understanding the Requirements
Network Address: 192.168.1.0/24
The /24 notation means a subnet mask of 255.255.255.0, providing 256 total addresses (192.168.1.0–192.168.1.255).
Usable hosts: 256 – 2 (network and broadcast) = 254.
Goal: Create3 subnets, each with30 hosts.
Each subnet needs enough addresses to accommodate 30 hosts, plus 2 reserved addresses (network and broadcast) per subnet.
Total addresses per subnet = 30 (hosts) + 2 (network/broadcast) =32 addresses.
Subnetting Basics (Networking Fundamentals)
Subnet Mask: Determines how many bits are borrowed from the host portion to create subnets.
Original Mask: /24 (255.255.255.0) = 24 network bits, 8 host bits.
Formulae:
Number of subnets = 2^(number of borrowed bits).
Number of addresses per subnet = 2^(remaining host bits).
Usable hosts per subnet = 2^(remaining host bits) – 2.
We need:
Step-by-Step Analysis
Determine Addresses Needed per Subnet:
32 addresses is a power of 2 (2^5 = 32).
This means each subnet requires 5 host bits (since 2^5 = 32 total addresses, and 32 – 2 = 30 usable hosts).
Calculate Remaining Bits:
Original network has 8 host bits (/24).
If 5 bits are left for hosts, we borrow: 8 – 5 =3 bitsfor subnetting.
New Subnet Mask:
Original mask: /24 (24 network bits).
Borrow 3 bits: 24 + 3 =/27.
/27 = 255.255.255.224 (binary: 11111111.11111111.11111111.11100000).
Verify Requirements:
Number of Subnets: 2^3 =8 subnets(meets the requirement of at least 3).
Addresses per Subnet: 2^5 =32 addresses.
Usable Hosts per Subnet: 32 – 2 =30 hosts(exactly meets the requirement).
Subnet Breakdown:
Increment: 256 – 224 =32(each subnet increments by 32 in the fourth octet).
Subnets:
192.168.1.0–192.168.1.31 (Network: .0, Broadcast: .31, Hosts: .1–.30)
192.168.1.32–192.168.1.63 (Network: .32, Broadcast: .63, Hosts: .33–.62)
192.168.1.64–192.168.1.95 (Network: .64, Broadcast: .95, Hosts: .65–.94)
(And 5 more subnets up to 192.168.1.255.)
Three subnets fit perfectly with 30 hosts each.
Evaluating the Options
A. 255.255.255.128 (/25):
Borrow 1 bit: 24 + 1 = /25.
Subnets: 2^1 = 2 (not enough, need 3).
Host bits: 7 (2^7 = 128 addresses, 126 hosts).
Why Not: Only 2 subnets, fails the requirement.
B. 255.255.255.192 (/26):
Borrow 2 bits: 24 + 2 = /26.
Subnets: 2^2 = 4 (meets 3).
Host bits: 6 (2^6 = 64 addresses, 62 hosts).
Why Not: 62 hosts exceeds 30, but it’s overkill; /27 is more efficient and still valid.
C. 255.255.255.224 (/27):
Borrow 3 bits: 24 + 3 = /27.
Subnets: 2^3 = 8 (meets 3).
Host bits: 5 (2^5 = 32 addresses, 30 hosts).
Why Yes: Perfectly fits 3 subnets with exactly 30 hosts each.
D. 255.255.255.240 (/28):
Borrow 4 bits: 24 + 4 = /28.
Subnets: 2^4 = 16 (meets 3).
Host bits: 4 (2^4 = 16 addresses, 14 hosts).
Why Not: Only 14 hosts per subnet, fails the 30-host requirement.
Why /27 (255.255.255.224) is Best
It providesexactly 30 usable hosts per subnet, avoiding waste while meeting the minimum requirement.
It allows8 subnets, exceeding the need for 3, ensuring flexibility.
The study guide emphasizes efficient subnet design, and /27 balances host count and subnet availability.
CompTIA Network+ Context
Networking Fundamentals: Subnetting is a core skill, requiring understanding of CIDR, binary conversion, and address allocation.
Example from Study Guide: Similar problems calculate subnet masks for specific host counts, reinforcing /27 as a common solution for ~30 hosts.