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rules for how to subnet type B class IP address

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Answered by GPT-4o mini
Subnetting a Class B IP address involves dividing the network into smaller sub-networks (subnets) to optimize the use of IP addresses and enhance network management. Class B IP addresses use a default subnet mask of 255.255.0.0 (or /16). Here’s how to go about subnetting a Class B IP address:

### **1. Understand Class B Addressing:**
- Class B addresses range from 128.0.0.0 to 191.255.255.255.
- The default subnet mask is 255.255.0.0 (or /16), which means the first 16 bits are for the network part, and the remaining 16 bits are for the host part.

### **2. Determine Subnet Requirements:**
- Identify how many subnets you need. This can be based on geographic locations, departments, or any criteria that suit your organizational needs.
- Determine the maximum number of hosts required per subnet.

### **3. Calculate Subnet Mask:**
To create subnets, you can "borrow" bits from the host portion of the IP address. Here’s how to do this:

- **Identify the number of bits to borrow:** Use the formula `2^n >= number of required subnets`, where `n` is the number of bits borrowed.
- **Calculate hosts per subnet:** Once you know how many bits you are using for subnetting, the remaining bits will determine how many hosts you can have per subnet using the formula `2^(remaining bits) - 2` (to account for the network and broadcast addresses).

### **4. Example Calculation:**
**Scenario:** You need 8 subnets.

- Borrow bits:
- If you need 8 subnets, you need to borrow 3 bits (2^3 = 8).
- New subnet mask:
- The original Class B mask is /16. Borrowing 3 bits gives you a new subnet mask of /19 (16 + 3).
- In decimal: 255.255.248.0 (because 19 bits gives us 11111111.11111111.11111000.00000000).

**Hosts per subnet:**
- Remaining bits for hosts = 32 - 19 = 13.
- Maximum hosts:
- `2^13 - 2 = 8192 - 2 = 8190 hosts per subnet`.

### **5. Calculate Subnets:**
Now that you have the subnet mask, you can calculate the possible subnets:

- If your Class B IP address is **172.16.0.0/19**, the subnets would be:
- 172.16.0.0/19
- 172.16.8.0/19
- 172.16.16.0/19
- 172.16.24.0/19
- 172.16.32.0/19
- 172.16.40.0/19
- 172.16.48.0/19
- 172.16.56.0/19

### **6. Document the Configuration:**
Always document your subnetting scheme by noting the subnet addresses, subnet masks, the range of hosts available for each subnet, and any other relevant details.

### **7. Implement and Test:**
Once documented, implement the configuration on your network devices and test connectivity between subnets to ensure proper segmentation.

### Summary:
- Start with a Class B address (e.g., 172.16.0.0).
- Determine the number of subnets needed.
- Calculate necessary bits to borrow.
- Compute the new subnet mask and allowed hosts.
- Create the subnet plan and document it.

By carefully planning and following these steps, you can efficiently subnet a Class B IP address to meet your network’s needs.

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