9803xd.

fm Page 1 Wednesday, October 28, 2009 9:35 AM

9803xd.fm Page 2 Wednesday, October 28, 2009 9:35 AM

APPENDIX D
IP Addressing Practice

Chapter 4, “IP Addressing,” covers many details related to analyzing IP addresses, subnets, and
summarized IP routes. That chapter suggests some decimal math algorithms that allow you to
find the answers to some typical questions without having to perform time-consuming conversions
between binary and decimal.

As promised in Chapter 4, this appendix provides some practice problems that should help you
perfect the use of the algorithms in Chapter 4. Note that the goal of this practice is not to make
you memorize the algorithms—instead, the goal is to help you become so familiar with the
patterns in the decimal math that you can look at a problem and visualize the answer quickly.
The intent is to enable you, after you have practiced enough, to simply look at a problem and do
the math in your head, ignoring the specific steps in the book.

This appendix covers the decimal math processes to answer the following four types of
questions:

1. Given an IP address and mask/prefix length, list the number of subnets (assuming SLSM),
number of hosts per subnet (assuming SLSM), the subnet number, the broadcast address,
and the range of valid IP addresses in that same subnet.
2. Given an IP network and a static mask/prefix length, list the subnet numbers.
3. Given a set of routes, find the smallest inclusive summary route.
4. Given a set of routes, find the smallest exclusive summary route(s).
These topics are covered in order in this appendix.
9803xd.fm Page 3 Wednesday, October 28, 2009 9:35 AM

3 CCIE Routing and Switching Exam Certification Guide

Subnetting Practice
This appendix lists 25 separate questions, asking you to derive the subnet number, broadcast
address, and range of valid IP addresses. In the solutions, the binary math is shown, as is the
process that avoids binary math using the “subnet chart” described in Chapter 4, “IP Addressing.”
You might want to review Chapter 4’s section on IP addressing before trying to answer these
questions.

25 Subnetting Questions
Given each IP address and mask, supply the following information for each of these 25 examples:

■ Size of the network part of the address

■ Size of the subnet part of the address

■ Size of the host part of the address

■ The number of hosts per subnet

■ The number of subnets in this network

■ The subnet number

■ The broadcast address

■ The range of valid IP addresses in this network:

1. 10.180.10.18, mask 255.192.0.0

2. 10.200.10.18, mask 255.224.0.0
3. 10.100.18.18, mask 255.240.0.0
4. 10.100.18.18, mask 255.248.0.0
5. 10.150.200.200, mask 255.252.0.0
6. 10.150.200.200, mask 255.254.0.0
7. 10.220.100.18, mask 255.255.0.0
8. 10.220.100.18, mask 255.255.128.0
9. 172.31.100.100, mask 255.255.192.0
10. 172.31.100.100, mask 255.255.224.0
11. 172.31.200.10, mask 255.255.240.0
12. 172.31.200.10, mask 255.255.248.0
13. 172.31.50.50, mask 255.255.252.0
9803xd.fm Page 4 Wednesday, October 28, 2009 9:35 AM

IP Addressing Practice 4

14. 172.31.50.50, mask 255.255.254.0

15. 172.31.140.14, mask 255.255.255.0
16. 172.31.140.14, mask 255.255.255.128
17. 192.168.15.150, mask 255.255.255.192
18. 192.168.15.150, mask 255.255.255.224
19. 192.168.100.100, mask 255.255.255.240
20. 192.168.100.100, mask 255.255.255.248
21. 192.168.15.230, mask 255.255.255.252
22. 10.1.1.1, mask 255.248.0.0
23. 172.16.1.200, mask 255.255.240.0
24. 172.16.0.200, mask 255.255.255.192
25. 10.1.1.1, mask 255.0.0.0

Suggestions on How to Attack the Problem

If you are ready to go ahead and start answering the questions, go ahead! If you want more
explanation of how to attack such questions, refer back to the section on IP subnetting in Chapter 4.
However, if you have already read Chapter 4, a reminder of the steps in the process to answer these
questions, with a little binary math, is repeated here:

NOTE The examples shown here assume classful IP addressing, so the number of subnets per
IP network is listed as 2n - 2. If using classless IP addressing, the numbers would simply be 2n.

Step 1 Identify the structure of the IP address.

a. Identify the size of the network part of the address, based on Class A, B, and C
rules.
b. Identify the size of the host part of the address, based on the number of binary
0s in the mask. If the mask is “tricky,” use the chart of typical mask values to
convert the mask to binary more quickly.
c. The size of the subnet part is what’s “left over”; mathematically, it is 32 – (net-
work + host)
d. Declare the number of subnets, which is 2number-of-subnet-bits – 2.
e. Declare the number of hosts per subnet, which is 2number-of-host-bits – 2
Step 2 Create the subnet chart that will be used in steps 3 and 4.
a. Create a generic subnet chart.
b. Write down the decimal IP address and subnet mask in the first two rows of the
chart.
9803xd.fm Page 5 Wednesday, October 28, 2009 9:35 AM

5 CCIE Routing and Switching Exam Certification Guide

c. If an easy mask is used, draw a vertical line between the 255s and the 0s in the
mask, from top to bottom of the chart. If a hard mask is used, draw a box
around the interesting octet.
d. Copy the address octets to the left of the line or the box into the final four rows
of the chart.
Step 3 Derive the subnet number and the first valid IP address.
a. On the line on the chart where you are writing down the subnet number, write
down 0s in the octets to the right of the line or the box.
b. If the mask is difficult, so that there is a box in the chart, use the magic number
trick to find the decimal value of the subnet’s interesting octet, and write it
down. Remember, the magic number is found by subtracting the interesting
(non-0 or 255) mask value from 256. The magic number multiple that’s closest
to but not larger than the IP address’s interesting octet value is the subnet value
in that octet.
c. To derive the first valid IP address, copy the first three octets of the
subnet number, and add 1 to the fourth octet of the subnet number.
Step 4 Derive the broadcast address and the last valid IP address for this subnet.
a. Write down 255s in the broadcast address octets to the right of the line or the
box.
b. If the mask is difficult, so that there is a box in the chart, use the magic number
trick to find the value of the broadcast address’s interesting octet. In this case,
you add the subnet number’s interesting octet value to the magic number, and
subtract 1.
c. To derive the last valid IP address, copy the first three octets of the broadcast
address and subtract 1 from the fourth octet of the broadcast address.

Question 1: Answer
The answers begin with the analysis of the three parts of the address, the number of hosts per
subnet, and the number of subnets of this network using the stated mask. The binary math for
subnet and broadcast address calculation follows. The answer finishes with the easier mental
calculations using the subnet chart described in Chapter 4.

Table D-1 Question 1: Size of Network, Subnet, Host, Number of Subnets, Number of Hosts
Item Example Rules to Remember
Address 10.180.10.18 N/A
Mask 255.192.0.0 N/A
Number of network bits 8 Always defined by Class A, B, C
Number of host bits 22 Always defined as number of
binary 0s in mask
9803xd.fm Page 6 Wednesday, October 28, 2009 9:35 AM

IP Addressing Practice 6

Table D-1 Question 1: Size of Network, Subnet, Host, Number of Subnets, Number of Hosts (Continued)
Item Example Rules to Remember
Number of subnet bits 2 32 – (network size + host size)
Number of subnets 22 –2=2 2number-of-subnet-bits – 2
Number of hosts 222 – 2 = 4,194,302 2number-of-host-bits – 2

The binary calculations of the subnet number and broadcast address are in Table D-2. To
calculate the two numbers, perform a Boolean AND on the address and mask. To find the
broadcast address for this subnet, change all the host bits to binary 1s in the subnet number. The
host bits are in bold print in the table.

Table D-2 Question 1: Binary Calculation of Subnet and Broadcast Addresses

Address 10.180.10.18 0000 1010 1011 0100 0000 1010 0001 0010
Mask 255.192.0.0 1111 1111 1100 0000 0000 0000 0000 0000
AND result 10.128.0.0 0000 1010 1000 0000 0000 0000 0000 0000
(subnet number)
Change host to 1s 10.191.255.255 0000 1010 1011 1111 1111 1111 1111 1111
(broadcast address)

To get the first valid IP address, just add 1 to the subnet number; to get the last valid IP address,
just subtract 1 from the broadcast address. In this case:

10.128.0.1 through 10.191.255.254

10.128.0.0 + 1= 10.128.0.1
10.191.255.255 – 1= 10.191.255.254
Steps 2, 3, and 4 in the process use a table like Table D-3, which lists the way to get the same
answers using the subnet chart and magic math described in Chapter 4. Figure D-1 at the end of
this problem shows the fields in Table D-3 that are filled in at each step in the process. Remember,
subtracting the interesting (non-0 or 255) mask value from 256 yields the magic number. The
magic number multiple that’s closest to but not larger than the IP address’s interesting octet value
is the subnet value in that octet.

Table D-3 Question 1: Subnet, Broadcast, First and Last Addresses Calculated Using Subnet
Chart

Octet 1 Octet 2 Octet 3 Octet 4 Comments

Address 10 180 10 18 N/A
Mask 255 192 0 0 N/A
Subnet number 10 128 0 0 Magic number = 256 – 192 = 64
continues
9803xd.fm Page 7 Wednesday, October 28, 2009 9:35 AM

7 CCIE Routing and Switching Exam Certification Guide

Table D-3 Question 1: Subnet, Broadcast, First and Last Addresses Calculated Using Subnet
Chart (Continued)

Octet 1 Octet 2 Octet 3 Octet 4 Comments

First address 10 128 0 1 Add 1 to last octet of subnet
Broadcast 10 191 255 255 128 + 64 – 1 = 191
Last address 10 191 255 254 Subtract 1 from last octet
Subnet rule: Multiple of magic number closest to, but not more than, IP address value in interesting octet
Broadcast rule: Subnet + magic – 1

This subnetting scheme uses a hard mask because one of the octets is not a 0 or a 255. The second
octet is “interesting” in this case. The key part of the trick to get the right answers is to calculate
the magic number, which is 256 – 192 = 64 in this case (256 – mask’s value in the interesting
octet). The subnet number’s value in the interesting octet (inside the box) is the multiple of the
magic number that’s not bigger than the original IP address’s value in the interesting octet. In this
case, 128 is the multiple of 64 that’s closest to 180 but not bigger than 180. So, the second octet
of the subnet number is 128.

The second tricky part of this process calculates the subnet broadcast address. The full process is
described in Chapter 4, but the tricky part is, as usual, in the “interesting” octet. Take the subnet
number’s value in the interesting octet, add the magic number, and subtract 1. That’s the broadcast
address’s value in the interesting octet. In this case, 128 + 64 – 1 = 191.

Finally, Figure D-1 shows Table D-3 with comments about when each part of the table was filled
in, based on the steps in the process at the beginning of the chapter.

Figure D-1 Steps 2, 3, and 4 for Question 1

2C: draw
box
2A: Octet Octet Octet Comments
Octet
create #1 #3 #4
#2
chart
Address 10 180 10 18 2B: Write down address

Mask 255 192 0 0 2B: Write down mask

Subnet 10 128 3B 0 0 3A Magic number = 256

number – 192 = 64
First 10 128 0 1 3C Add 1 to last octet
address of subnet
Broadcast 10 191 4B 255 255 4A 128 + 64 – 1 = 191

Last 10 191 255 254 4C Subract 1 from

address last octet

2D: copy
address
9803xd.fm Page 8 Wednesday, October 28, 2009 9:35 AM

IP Addressing Practice 8

Question 2: Answer
Table D-4 Question 2: Size of Network, Subnet, Host, Number of Subnets, Number of Hosts
Step Example Rules to Remember
Address 10.200.10.18 N/A
Mask 255.224.0.0 N/A
Number of network bits 8 Always defined by Class A, B, C
Number of host bits 21 Always defined as number of binary 0s
in mask
Number of subnet bits 3 32 – (network size + host size)
Number of subnets 23 –2=6 2number-of-subnet-bits – 2
Number of hosts 221 – 2 = 2,097,150 2number-of-host-bits – 2

Table D-5 presents the binary calculations of the subnet number and broadcast address. To
calculate the subnet number, perform a Boolean AND of the address with the subnet mask. To find
the broadcast address for this subnet, change all the host bits to binary 1s in the subnet number.
The host bits are in bold print in the table.

Table D-5 Question 2: Binary Calculation of Subnet and Broadcast Addresses

Address 10.200.10.18 0000 1010 1100 1000 0000 1010 0001 0010
Mask 255.224.0.0 1111 1111 1110 0000 0000 0000 0000 0000
AND result 10.192.0.0 0000 1010 1100 0000 0000 0000 0000 0000
(subnet number)
Change host to 1s 10.223.255.255 0000 1010 1101 1111 1111 1111 1111 1111
(broadcast address)

Just add 1 to the subnet number to get the first valid IP address; just subtract 1 from the broadcast
address to get the last valid IP address. In this case:

10.192.0.1 through 10.223.255.254

Table D-6 lists the way to get the same answers using the subnet chart and magic math described
in Chapter 4. Remember, subtracting the interesting (non-0 or 255) mask value from 256 yields
the magic number. The magic number multiple that’s closest to but not larger than the IP address’s
interesting octet value is the subnet value in that octet.

This subnetting scheme uses a hard mask because one of the octets is not a 0 or a 255. The second
octet is “interesting” in this case. The key part of the trick to get the right answers is to calculate
9803xd.fm Page 9 Wednesday, October 28, 2009 9:35 AM

9 CCIE Routing and Switching Exam Certification Guide

the magic number, which is 256 – 224 = 32 in this case (256 – mask’s value in the interesting
octet). The subnet number’s value in the interesting octet (inside the box) is the multiple of the
magic number that’s not bigger than the original IP address’s value in the interesting octet. In this
case, 192 is the multiple of 32 that’s closest to 200 but not bigger than 200. So, the second octet
of the subnet number is 192.

Table D-6 Question 2: Subnet, Broadcast, First and Last Addresses Calculated Using Subnet Chart

Octet 1 Octet 2 Octet 3 Octet 4 Comments

Address 10 200 10 18 N/A
Mask 255 224 0 0 N/A
Subnet 10 192 0 0 Magic number =
number 256 – 224 = 32
First 10 192 0 1 Add 1 to last octet
address of subnet
Broadcast 10 223 255 255 192 + 32 – 1 = 223
Last 10 223 255 254 Subtract 1 from last octet
address
Subnet rule: Multiple of magic number closest to, but not more than, IP address value in interesting
octet Broadcast rule: Subnet + magic – 1

The second tricky part of this process calculates the subnet broadcast address. The full process is
described in Chapter 4, but the tricky part is, as usual, in the “interesting” octet. Take the subnet
number’s value in the interesting octet, add the magic number, and subtract 1. That’s the broadcast
address’s value in the interesting octet. In this case, 192 + 32 – 1 = 223.

Question 3: Answer
Table D-7 Question 3: Size of Network, Subnet, Host, Number of Subnets, Number of Hosts
Step Example Rules to Remember
Address 10.100.18.18 N/A
Mask 255.240.0.0 N/A
Number of network bits 8 Always defined by Class A, B, C
Number of host bits 20 Always defined as number of binary 0s
in mask
Number of subnet bits 4 32 – (network size + host size)
Number of subnets 24 – 2 = 14 2number-of-subnet-bits – 2
Number of hosts 220 – 2 = 1,048,574 2number-of-host-bits – 2
9803xd.fm Page 10 Wednesday, October 28, 2009 9:35 AM

IP Addressing Practice 10

The binary calculations of the subnet number and broadcast address are in Table D-8. To calculate
the subnet number, perform a Boolean AND of the address with the subnet mask. To find the
broadcast address for this subnet, change all the host bits to binary 1s in the subnet number. The
host bits are in bold print in the table.

Table D-8 Question 3: Binary Calculation of Subnet and Broadcast Addresses

Address 10.100.18.18 0000 1010 0110 0100 0001 00100001 0010
Mask 255.240.0.0 1111 1111 1111 0000 0000 0000 0000 0000
AND result 10.96.0.0 0000 1010 0110 0000 0000 0000 0000 0000
(subnet number)
Change host to 1s 10.111.255.255 0000 1010 0110 1111 1111 1111 1111 1111
(broadcast address)

Just add 1 to the subnet number to get the first valid IP address; just subtract 1 from the broadcast
address to get the last valid IP address. In this case:

10.96.0.1 through 10.111.255.254

Table D-9 lists the way to get the same answers using the subnet chart and magic math described
in Chapter 4. Remember, subtracting the interesting (non-0 or 255) mask value from 256 yields
the magic number. The magic number multiple that’s closest to but not larger than the IP address’s
interesting octet value is the subnet value in that octet.

Table D-9 Question 3: Subnet, Broadcast, First and Last Addresses Calculated Using Subnet Chart

Octet 1 Octet 2 Octet 3 Octet 4 Comments

Address 10 100 18 18 N/A
Mask 255 240 0 0 N/A
Subnet 10 96 0 0 Magic number
number = 256 – 240 =
16
First address 10 96 0 1 Add 1 to last
octet of subnet
Broadcast 10 111 255 255 96 + 16 – 1 =
111
Last address 10 111 255 254 Subtract 1 from
last octet
Subnet rule: Multiple of magic number closest to, but not more than, IP address value in interesting octet Broadcast
rule: Subnet + magic – 1

This subnetting scheme uses a hard mask because one of the octets is not a 0 or a 255. The second
octet is “interesting” in this case. The key part of the trick to get the right answers is to calculate
9803xd.fm Page 11 Wednesday, October 28, 2009 9:35 AM

11 CCIE Routing and Switching Exam Certification Guide

the magic number, which is 256 – 240 = 16 in this case (256 – mask’s value in the interesting
octet). The subnet number’s value in the interesting octet (inside the box) is the multiple of the
magic number that’s not bigger than the original IP address’s value in the interesting octet. In this
case, 96 is the multiple of 16 that’s closest to 100 but not bigger than 100. So, the second octet of
the subnet number is 96.

The second tricky part of this process calculates the subnet broadcast address. The full process is
described in Chapter 4, but the tricky part is, as usual, in the “interesting” octet. Take the subnet
number’s value in the interesting octet, add the magic number, and subtract 1. That’s the broadcast
address’s value in the interesting octet. In this case, 96 + 16 – 1 = 111.

Question 4: Answer
Table D-10 Question 4: Size of Network, Subnet, Host, Number of Subnets, Number of Hosts

Step Example Rules to Remember

Address 10.100.18.18 N/A
Mask 255.248.0.0 N/A
Number of 8 Always defined by Class A, B, C
network bits
Number of 19 Always defined as number of binary 0s
host bits in mask
Number of 5 32 – (network size + host size)
subnet bits
Number of 25 – 2 = 30 2number-of-subnet-bits – 2
subnets
Number of 219 – 2 = 524,286 2number-of-host-bits – 2
hosts

The binary calculations of the subnet number and broadcast address are in Table D-11. To
calculate the subnet number, perform a Boolean AND of the address with the subnet mask. To find
the broadcast address for this subnet, change all the host bits to binary 1s in the subnet number.
The host bits are in bold print in the table.

Table D-11 Question 4: Binary Calculation of Subnet and Broadcast Addresses

Address 10.100.18.18 0000 1010 0110 0100 0001 00100001 0010
Mask 255.248.0.0 1111 1111 1111 1000 0000 0000 0000 0000
AND result 10.96.0.0 0000 1010 0110 0000 0000 0000 0000 0000
(subnet number)
Change host to 1s 10.103.255.255 0000 1010 0110 0111 1111 1111 1111 1111
(broadcast address)
9803xd.fm Page 12 Wednesday, October 28, 2009 9:35 AM

IP Addressing Practice 12

Just add 1 to the subnet number to get the first valid IP address; just subtract 1 from the broadcast
address to get the last valid IP address. In this case:

10.96.0.1 through 10.103.255.254

Table D-12 lists the way to get the same answers using the subnet chart and magic math described
in Chapter 4. Remember, subtracting the interesting (non-0 or 255) mask value from 256 yields
the magic number. The magic number multiple that’s closest to but not larger than the IP address’s
interesting octet value is the subnet value in that octet.

Table D-12 Question 4: Subnet, Broadcast, First and Last Addresses Calculated Using Subnet Chart

Octet 1 Octet 2 Octet 3 Octet 4 Comments

Address 10 100 18 18 N/A
Mask 255 248 0 0 N/A
Subnet number 10 96 0 0 Magic number
=
256 – 248 = 8
First address 10 96 0 1 Add 1 to last
octet of subnet
Broadcast 10 103 255 255 96 + 8 – 1 =
103
Last address 10 103 255 254 Subtract 1
from last octet

Subnet rule: Multiple of magic number closest to, but not more than, IP address value in interesting octet
Broadcast rule: Subnet + magic – 1

This subnetting scheme uses a hard mask because one of the octets is not a 0 or a 255. The second
octet is “interesting” in this case. The key part of the trick to get the right answers is to calculate
the magic number, which is 256 – 248 = 8 in this case (256 – mask’s value in the interesting octet).
The subnet number’s value in the interesting octet (inside the box) is the multiple of the magic
number that’s not bigger than the original IP address’s value in the interesting octet. In this case,
96 is the multiple of 8 that’s closest to 100 but not bigger than 100. So, the second octet of the
subnet number is 96.

The second tricky part of this process calculates the subnet broadcast address. The full process is
described in Chapter 4, but the tricky part is, as usual, in the “interesting” octet. Take the subnet
number’s value in the interesting octet, add the magic number, and subtract 1. That’s the broadcast
address’s value in the interesting octet. In this case, 96 + 8 – 1 = 103.
9803xd.fm Page 13 Wednesday, October 28, 2009 9:35 AM

13 CCIE Routing and Switching Exam Certification Guide

Question 5: Answer
Table D-13 Question 5: Size of Network, Subnet, Host, Number of Subnets, Number of Hosts

Step Example Rules to Remember

Address 10.150.200.200 N/A
Mask 255.252.0.0 N/A
Number of 8 Always defined by Class A, B, C
network bits
Number of 18 Always defined as number of binary
host bits 0s in mask
Number of 6 32 – (network size + host size)
subnet bits
Number of 26 – 2 = 62 2number-of-subnet-bits – 2
subnets
Number of hosts 218 – 2 = 262,142 2number-of-host-bits – 2

The binary calculations of the subnet number and broadcast address are in Table D-14. To
calculate the subnet number, perform a Boolean AND of the address with the subnet mask. To find
the broadcast address for this subnet, change all the host bits to binary 1s in the subnet number.
The host bits are in bold print in the table.

Table D-14 Question 5: Binary Calculation of Subnet and Broadcast Addresses

Address 10.150.200.200 0000 1010 1001 0110 1100 1000 1100 1000
Mask 255.252.0.0 1111 1111 1111 1100 0000 0000 0000 0000
AND result 10.148.0.0 0000 1010 0110 0100 0000 0000 0000 0000
(subnet number)
Change host to 1s 10.151.255.255 0000 1010 0110 0111 1111 1111 1111 1111
(broadcast address)

Just add 1 to the subnet number to get the first valid IP address; just subtract 1 from the broadcast
address to get the last valid IP address. In this case:

10.148.0.1 through 10.151.255.254

Table D-15 lists the way to get the same answers using the subnet chart and magic math described
in Chapter 4. Remember, subtracting the interesting (non-0 or 255) mask value from 256 yields
the magic number. The magic number multiple that’s closest to but not larger than the IP address’s
interesting octet value is the subnet value in that octet.
9803xd.fm Page 14 Wednesday, October 28, 2009 9:35 AM

IP Addressing Practice 14

Table D-15 Question 5: Subnet, Broadcast, First and Last Addresses Calculated Using Subnet Chart

Octet 1 Octet 2 Octet 3 Octet 4 Comments

Address 10 150 200 200 N/A
Mask 255 252 0 0 N/A
Subnet 10 148 0 0 Magic
number number =
256 – 252 = 4
First address 10 148 0 1 Add 1 to last
octet of
subnet
Broadcast 10 151 255 255 148 + 4 – 1 =
151
Last address 10 151 255 254 Subtract 1
from last
octet

Subnet rule: Multiple of magic number closest to, but not more than, IP address value in interesting octet
Broadcast rule: Subnet + magic – 1

This subnetting scheme uses a hard mask because one of the octets is not a 0 or a 255. The second
octet is “interesting” in this case. The key part of the trick to get the right answers is to calculate
the magic number, which is 256 – 252 = 4 in this case (256 – mask’s value in the interesting octet).
The subnet number’s value in the interesting octet (inside the box) is the multiple of the magic
number that’s not bigger than the original IP address’s value in the interesting octet. In this case,
148 is the multiple of 4 that’s closest to 150 but not bigger than 150. So, the second octet of the
subnet number is 148.

The second tricky part of this process calculates the subnet broadcast address. The full process is
described in Chapter 4, but the tricky part is, as usual, in the “interesting” octet. Take the subnet
number’s value in the interesting octet, add the magic number, and subtract 1. That’s the broadcast
address’s value in the interesting octet. In this case, 148 + 4 – 1 = 151.

Question 6: Answer
Table D-16 Question 6: Size of Network, Subnet, Host, Number of Subnets, Number of Hosts

Step Example Rules to Remember

Address 10.150.200.200 N/A
Mask 255.254.0.0 N/A
Number of 8 Always defined by Class A, B, C
network bits
continues
9803xd.fm Page 15 Wednesday, October 28, 2009 9:35 AM

15 CCIE Routing and Switching Exam Certification Guide

Table D-16 Question 6: Size of Network, Subnet, Host, Number of Subnets, Number of Hosts (Continued)

Step Example Rules to Remember

Number of 17 Always defined as number of binary
host bits 0s in mask
Number of 7 32 – (network size + host size)
subnet bits
Number of 27 – 2 = 126 2number-of-subnet-bits – 2
subnets
Number of 217 – 2 = 131,070 2number-of-host-bits – 2
hosts

The binary calculations of the subnet number and broadcast address are in Table D-17. To
calculate the subnet number, perform a Boolean AND of the address with the subnet mask. To find
the broadcast address for this subnet, change all the host bits to binary 1s in the subnet number.
The host bits are in bold print in the table.

Table D-17 Question 6: Binary Calculation of Subnet and Broadcast Addresses

Address 10.150.200.200 0000 1010 1001 0110 1100 1000 1100 1000
Mask 255.254.0.0 1111 1111 1111 1110 0000 0000 0000 0000
AND result 10.150.0.0 0000 1010 0110 0110 0000 0000 0000 0000
(subnet number)
Change host to 1s 10.151.255.255 0000 1010 0110 0111 1111 1111 1111 1111
(broadcast address)

Just add 1 to the subnet number to get the first valid IP address; just subtract 1 from the broadcast
address to get the last valid IP address. In this case:

10.150.0.1 through 10.151.255.254

Table D-18 lists the way to get the same answers using the subnet chart and magic math described
in Chapter 4. Remember, subtracting the interesting (non-0 or 255) mask value from 256 yields
the magic number. The magic number multiple that’s closest to but not larger than the IP address’s
interesting octet value is the subnet value in that octet.

Table D-18 Question 6: Subnet, Broadcast, First and Last Addresses Calculated Using Subnet
Chart

Octet 1 Octet 2 Octet 3 Octet 4

Address 10 150 200 200
Mask 255 254 0 0
9803xd.fm Page 16 Wednesday, October 28, 2009 9:35 AM

IP Addressing Practice 16

Table D-18 Question 6: Subnet, Broadcast, First and Last Addresses Calculated Using Subnet
Chart (Continued)

Octet 1 Octet 2 Octet 3 Octet 4

Subnet number 10 150 0 0
First valid 10 150 0 1
address
Broadcast 10 151 255 255
Last valid 10 151 255 254
address

This subnetting scheme uses a hard mask because one of the octets is not a 0 or a 255. The second
octet is “interesting” in this case. The key part of the trick to get the right answers is to calculate
the magic number, which is 256 – 254 = 2 in this case (256 – mask’s value in the interesting octet).
The subnet number’s value in the interesting octet (inside the box) is the multiple of the magic
number that’s not bigger than the original IP address’s value in the interesting octet. In this case,
150 is the multiple of 2 that’s closest to 150 but not bigger than 150. So, the second octet of the
subnet number is 150.

The second tricky part of this process calculates the subnet broadcast address. The full process is
described in Chapter 4, but the tricky part is, as usual, in the “interesting” octet. Take the subnet
number’s value in the interesting octet, add the magic number, and subtract 1. That’s the broadcast
address’s value in the interesting octet. In this case, 150 + 2 – 1 = 151.

Question 7: Answer
Table D-19 Question 7: Size of Network, Subnet, Host, Number of Subnets, Number of Hosts

Step Example Rules to Remember

Address 10.220.100.18 N/A
Mask 255.255.0.0 N/A
Number of network bits 8 Always defined by Class A, B, C
Number of host bits 16 Always defined as number of binary 0s in
mask
Number of subnet bits 8 32 – (network size + host size)
Number of subnets 28 – 2 = 254 2number-of-subnet-bits – 2
Number of hosts 216 – 2 = 65,534 2number-of-host-bits – 2

The binary calculations of the subnet number and broadcast address are in Table D-20. To
calculate the subnet number, perform a Boolean AND of the address with the subnet mask. To find
the broadcast address for this subnet, change all the host bits to binary 1s in the subnet number.
The host bits are in bold print in the table.
9803xd.fm Page 17 Wednesday, October 28, 2009 9:35 AM

17 CCIE Routing and Switching Exam Certification Guide

Table D-20 Question 7: Binary Calculation of Subnet and Broadcast Addresses

Address 10.220.100.18 0000 1010 1101 1100 0110 0100 0001 0010
Mask 255.255.0.0 1111 1111 1111 1111 0000 0000 0000 0000
AND result 10.220.0.0 0000 1010 1101 1100 0000 0000 0000 0000
(subnet number)
Change host to 1s 10.220.255.255 0000 1010 1101 1100 1111 1111 1111 1111
(broadcast address)

Just add 1 to the subnet number to get the first valid IP address; just subtract 1 from the broadcast
address to get the last valid IP address. In this case:

10.220.0.1 through 10.220.255.254

Table D-21 lists the way to get the same answers using the subnet chart and magic math described
in Chapter 4.

Table D-21 Question 7: Subnet, Broadcast, First, and Last Addresses Calculated Using Subnet Chart

Octet 1 Octet 2 Octet 3 Octet 4

Address 10 220 100 18
Mask 255 255 0 0
Subnet number 10 220 0 0
First valid 10 220 0 1
address
Broadcast 10 220 255 255
Last valid 10 220 255 254
address

This subnetting scheme uses an easy mask because all of the octets are a 0 or a 255. No math tricks
are needed at all!

Question 8: Answer
Table D-22 Question 8: Size of Network, Subnet, Host, Number of Subnets, Number of Hosts

Step Example Rules to Remember

Address 10.220.100.18 N/A
Mask 255.255.128.0 N/A
Number of network bits 8 Always defined by Class A, B, C
9803xd.fm Page 18 Wednesday, October 28, 2009 9:35 AM

IP Addressing Practice 18

Table D-22 Question 8: Size of Network, Subnet, Host, Number of Subnets, Number of Hosts (Continued)

Step Example Rules to Remember

Number of host bits 15 Always defined as number of binary 0s in
mask
Number of subnet bits 9 32 – (network size + host size)
Number of subnets 29 – 2 = 510 2number-of-subnet-bits – 2
Number of hosts 215 – 2 = 32,766 2number-of-host-bits – 2

The binary calculations of the subnet number and broadcast address are in Table D-23. To
calculate the subnet number, perform a Boolean AND of the address with the subnet mask. To find
the broadcast address for this subnet, change all the host bits to binary 1s in the subnet number.
The host bits are in bold print in the table.

Table D-23 Question 8: Binary Calculation of Subnet and Broadcast Addresses

Address 10.220.100.18 0000 1010 1101 1100 0110 0100 0001 0010
Mask 255.255.128.0 1111 1111 1111 1111 1000 0000 0000 0000
AND result (subnet 10.220.0.0 0000 1010 1101 1100 0000 0000 0000 0000
number)
Change host to 1s 10.220.127.255 0000 1010 1101 1100 0111 1111 1111 1111
(broadcast address)

Just add 1 to the subnet number to get the first valid IP address; just subtract 1 from the broadcast
address to get the last valid IP address. In this case:

10.220.0.1 through 10.220.127.254

Table D-24 lists the way to get the same answers using the subnet chart and magic math described
in Chapter 4. Remember, subtracting the interesting (non-0 or 255) mask value from 256 yields
the magic number. The magic number multiple that’s closest to but not larger than the IP address’s
interesting octet value is the subnet value in that octet.

Table D-24 Question 8: Subnet, Broadcast, First and Last Addresses Calculated Using Subnet Chart

Octet 1 Octet 2 Octet 3 Octet 4

Address 10 220 100 18
Mask 255 255 128 0
Subnet number 10 220 0 0
First address 10 220 0 1
Broadcast 10 220 127 255
Last Adress 10 220 127 254
9803xd.fm Page 19 Wednesday, October 28, 2009 9:35 AM

19 CCIE Routing and Switching Exam Certification Guide

This subnetting scheme uses a hard mask because one of the octets is not a 0 or a 255. The third
octet is “interesting” in this case. The key part of the trick to get the right answers is to calculate
the magic number, which is 256 – 128 = 128 in this case (256 – mask’s value in the interesting
octet). The subnet number’s value in the interesting octet (inside the box) is the multiple of the
magic number that’s not bigger than the original IP address’s value in the interesting octet. In this
case, 0 is the multiple of 128 that’s closest to 100 but not bigger than 100. So, the third octet of the
subnet number is 0.

The second tricky part of this process calculates the subnet broadcast address. The full process is
described in Chapter 4, but the tricky part is, as usual, in the “interesting” octet. Take the subnet
number’s value in the interesting octet, add the magic number, and subtract 1. That’s the broadcast
address’s value in the interesting octet. In this case, 0 + 128 – 1 = 127.

This example tends to confuse people because a mask with 128 in it gives you subnet numbers that
just do not seem to look right. Table D-25 gives you the answers for the first several subnets, just
to make sure that you are clear about the subnets when using this mask with a Class A network.

Table D-25 Question 8: Subnet, Broadcast, First and Last Addresses Calculated Using Subnet Chart

First Valid Second Valid Third Valid

Zero Subnet Subnet Subnet Subnet
Subnet 10.0.0.0 10.0.128.0 10.1.0.0 10.1.128.0
First address 10.0.0.1 10.0.128.1 10.1.0.1 10.1.128.1
Last address 10.0.127.254 10.0.255.254 10.1.127.254 10.1.255.254
Broadcast 10.0.127.255 10.0.255.255 10.1.127.255 10.1.255.255

Question 9: Answer
Table D-26 Question 9: Size of Network, Subnet, Host, Number of Subnets, Number of Hosts

Step Example Rules to Remember

Address 172.31.100.100 N/A
Mask 255.255.192.0 N/A
Number of network bits 16 Always defined by
Class A, B, C
Number of host bits 14 Always defined as number of
binary 0s in mask
Number of subnet bits 2 32 – (network size + host size)
Number of subnets 22 –2=2 2number-of-subnet-bits – 2
Number of hosts 214 – 2 = 16,382 2number-of-host-bits – 2
9803xd.fm Page 20 Wednesday, October 28, 2009 9:35 AM

IP Addressing Practice 20

The binary calculations of the subnet number and broadcast address are in Table D-27. To
calculate the subnet number, perform a Boolean AND of the address with the subnet mask. To find
the broadcast address for this subnet, change all the host bits to binary 1s in the subnet number.
The host bits are in bold print in the table.

Table D-27 Question 9: Binary Calculation of Subnet and Broadcast Addresses

Address 172.31.100.100 1010 1100 0001 1111 0110 0100 0110 0100
Mask 255.255.192.0 1111 1111 1111 1111 1100 0000 0000 0000
AND result 172.31.64.0 1010 1100 0001 1111 0100 0000 0000 0000
(subnet number)
Change host to 1s 172.31.127.255 1010 1100 0001 1111 0111 1111 1111 1111
(broadcast address)

Just add 1 to the subnet number to get the first valid IP address; just subtract 1 from the broadcast
address to get the last valid IP address. In this case:

172.31.64.1 through 172.31.127.254

Table D-28 lists the way to get the same answers using the subnet chart and magic math described
in Chapter 4. Remember, subtracting the interesting (non-0 or 255) mask value from 256 yields
the magic number. The magic number multiple that’s closest to but not larger than the IP address’s
interesting octet value is the subnet value in that octet.

Table D-28 Question 9: Subnet, Broadcast, First and Last Addresses Calculated Using Subnet Chart

Octet 1 Octet 2 Octet 3 Octet 4

Address 172 31 100 100
Mask 255 255 192 0
Subnet number 172 31 64 0
First valid 172 31 64 1
address
Broadcast 172 31 127 255
Last valid 172 31 127 254
address

This subnetting scheme uses a hard mask because one of the octets is not a 0 or a 255. The third
octet is “interesting” in this case. The key part of the trick to get the right answers is to calculate
the magic number, which is 256 – 192 = 64 in this case (256 – mask’s value in the interesting
octet). The subnet number’s value in the interesting octet (inside the box) is the multiple of the
magic number that’s not bigger than the original IP address’s value in the interesting octet. In this
case, 64 is the multiple of 64 that’s closest to 100 but not bigger than 100. So, the third octet of the
subnet number is 64.
9803xd.fm Page 21 Wednesday, October 28, 2009 9:35 AM

21 CCIE Routing and Switching Exam Certification Guide

The second tricky part of this process calculates the subnet broadcast address. The full process is
described in Chapter 4, but the tricky part is, as usual, in the “interesting” octet. Take the subnet
number’s value in the interesting octet, add the magic number, and subtract 1. That’s the broadcast
address’s value in the interesting octet. In this case, 64 + 64 – 1 = 127.

Question 10: Answer

Table D-29 Question 10: Size of Network, Subnet, Host, Number of Subnets, Number of Hosts

Step Example Rules to Remember

Address 172.31.100.100 N/A
Mask 255.255.224.0 N/A
Number of network bits 16 Always defined by Class A, B, C
Number of host bits 13 Always defined as number of binary
0s in mask
Number of subnet bits 3 32 – (network size + host size)
Number of subnets 23 –2=6 2number-of-subnet-bits – 2
Number of hosts 213 – 2 = 8190 2number-of-host-bits – 2

The binary calculations of the subnet number and broadcast address are in Table D-30. To
calculate the subnet number, perform a Boolean AND of the address with the subnet mask. To find
the broadcast address for this subnet, change all the host bits to binary 1s in the subnet number.
The host bits are in bold print in the table.

Table D-30 Question 10: Binary Calculation of Subnet and Broadcast Addresses

Address 172.31.100.100 1010 1100 0001 1111 0110 0100 0110 0100
Mask 255.255.224.0 1111 1111 1111 1111 1110 0000 0000 0000
AND result 172.31.96.0 1010 1100 0001 1111 0110 0000 0000 0000
(subnet number)
Change host to 1s 172.31.127.255 1010 1100 0001 1111 0111 1111 1111 1111
(broadcast address)

Just add 1 to the subnet number to get the first valid IP address; just subtract 1 from the broadcast
address to get the last valid IP address. In this case:

172.31.96.1 through 172.31.127.254

Table D-31 lists the way to get the same answers using the subnet chart and magic math described
in Chapter 4. Remember, subtracting the interesting (non-0 or 255) mask value from 256 yields
the magic number. The magic number multiple that’s closest to but not larger than the IP address’s
interesting octet value is the subnet value in that octet.
9803xd.fm Page 22 Wednesday, October 28, 2009 9:35 AM

IP Addressing Practice 22

Table D-31 Question 10: Subnet, Broadcast, First and Last Addresses Calculated Using Subnet Chart

Octet 1 Octet 2 Octet 3 Octet 4

Address 172 31 100 100
Mask 255 255 224 0
Subnet number 172 31 96 0
First valid address 172 31 96 1
Broadcast 172 31 127 255
Last valid address 172 31 127 254

This subnetting scheme uses a hard mask because one of the octets is not a 0 or a 255. The third octet
is “interesting” in this case. The key part of the trick to get the right answers is to calculate the magic
number, which is 256 – 224 = 32 in this case (256 – mask’s value in the interesting octet). The subnet
number’s value in the interesting octet (inside the box) is the multiple of the magic number that’s not
bigger than the original IP address’s value in the interesting octet. In this case, 96 is the multiple
of 32 that’s closest to 100 but not bigger than 100. So, the third octet of the subnet number is 96.

The second tricky part of this process calculates the subnet broadcast address. The full process is
described in Chapter 4, but the tricky part is, as usual, in the “interesting” octet. Take the subnet
number’s value in the interesting octet, add the magic number, and subtract 1. That’s the broadcast
address’s value in the interesting octet. In this case, 96 + 32 – 1 = 127.

Question 11: Answer

Table D-32 Question 11: Size of Network, Subnet, Host, Number of Subnets, Number of Hosts

Step Example Rules to Remember

Address 172.31.200.10 N/A
Mask 255.255.240.0 N/A
Number of network bits 16 Always defined by Class A, B, C
Number of host bits 12 Always defined as number of binary 0s in
mask
Number of subnet bits 4 32 – (network size + host size)
Number of subnets 24 – 2 = 14 2number-of-subnet-bits – 2
Number of hosts 212 – 2 = 4094 2number-of-host-bits – 2
9803xd.fm Page 23 Wednesday, October 28, 2009 9:35 AM

23 CCIE Routing and Switching Exam Certification Guide

Table D-33 shows the binary calculations of the subnet number and broadcast address. To
calculate the subnet number, perform a Boolean AND of the address with the subnet mask. To find
the broadcast address for this subnet, change all the host bits to binary 1s in the subnet number.
The host bits are in bold print in the table.

Table D-33 Question 11: Binary Calculation of Subnet and Broadcast Addresses

Address 172.31.200.10 1010 1100 0001 1111 1100 1000 0000 1010
Mask 255.255.240.0 1111 1111 1111 1111 1111 0000 0000 0000
AND result 172.31.192.0 1010 1100 0001 1111 1100 0000 0000 0000
(subnet number)
Change host to 1s 172.31.207.255 1010 1100 0001 1111 1100 1111 1111 1111
(broadcast address)

Just add 1 to the subnet number to get the first valid IP address; just subtract 1 from the broadcast
address to get the last valid IP address. In this case:

172.31.192.1 through 172.31.207.254

Table D-34 lists the way to get the same answers using the subnet chart and magic math described
in Chapter 4. Remember, subtracting the interesting (non-0 or 255) mask value from 256 yields
the magic number. The magic number multiple that’s closest to but not larger than the IP address’s
interesting octet value is the subnet value in that octet.

Table D-34 Question 13: Subnet, Broadcast, First and Last Addresses Calculated Using Subnet Chart

Octet 1 Octet 2 Octet 3 Octet 4

Address 172 31 200 10
Mask 255 255 240 0
Subnet number 172 31 192 0
First valid address 172 31 192 1
Broadcast 172 31 207 255
Last valid address 172 31 207 254

This subnetting scheme uses a hard mask because one of the octets is not a 0 or a 255. The third
octet is “interesting” in this case. The key part of the trick to get the right answers is to calculate
the magic number, which is 256 – 240 = 16 in this case (256 – mask’s value in the interesting
octet). The subnet number’s value in the interesting octet (inside the box) is the multiple of the
magic number that’s not bigger than the original IP address’s value in the interesting octet. In this
case, 192 is the multiple of 16 that’s closest to 200 but not bigger than 200. So, the third octet of
the subnet number is 192.
9803xd.fm Page 24 Wednesday, October 28, 2009 9:35 AM

IP Addressing Practice 24

The second tricky part of this process calculates the subnet broadcast address. The full process is
described in Chapter 4, but the tricky part is, as usual, in the “interesting” octet. Take the subnet
number’s value in the interesting octet, add the magic number, and subtract 1. That’s the broadcast
address’s value in the interesting octet. In this case, 192 + 16 – 1 = 207.

Question 12: Answer

Table D-35 Question 12: Size of Network, Subnet, Host, Number of Subnets, Number of Hosts

Step Example Rules to Remember

Address 172.31.200.10 N/A
Mask 255.255.248.0 N/A
Number of network bits 16 Always defined by Class A, B, C
Number of host bits 11 Always defined as number of binary 0s in
mask
Number of subnet bits 5 32 – (network size +
host size)
Number of subnets 25 – 2 = 30 2number-of-subnet-bits – 2
Number of hosts 211 – 2 = 2046 2number-of-host-bits – 2

Table D-36 shows the binary calculations of the subnet number and broadcast address. To
calculate the subnet number, perform a Boolean AND of the address with the subnet mask. To find
the broadcast address for this subnet, change all the host bits to binary 1s in the subnet number.
The host bits are in bold print in the table.

Table D-36 Question 12: Binary Calculation of Subnet and Broadcast Addresses

Address 172.31.200.10 1010 1100 0001 1111 1100 1000 0000 1010
Mask 255.255.248.0 1111 1111 1111 1111 1111 1000 0000 0000
AND result 172.31.200.0 1010 1100 0001 1111 1100 1000 0000 0000
(subnet number)
Change host to 1s 172.31.207.255 1010 1100 0001 1111 1100 1111 1111 1111
(broadcast address)

Just add 1 to the subnet number to get the first valid IP address; just subtract 1 from the broadcast
address to get the last valid IP address. In this case:

172.31.200.1 through 172.31.207.254

Table D-37 lists the way to get the same answers using the subnet chart and magic math described
in Chapter 4. Remember, subtracting the interesting (non-0 or 255) mask value from 256 yields
9803xd.fm Page 25 Wednesday, October 28, 2009 9:35 AM

25 CCIE Routing and Switching Exam Certification Guide

the magic number. The magic number multiple that’s closest to but not larger than the IP address’s
interesting octet value is the subnet value in that octet.

Table D-37 Question 12: Subnet, Broadcast, First and Last Addresses Calculated Using Subnet Chart

Octet 1 Octet 2 Octet 3 Octet 4

Address 172 31 200 10
Mask 255 255 248 0
Subnet number 172 31 200 0
First valid 172 31 200 1
address
Broadcast 172 31 207 255
Last valid 172 31 207 254
address

This subnetting scheme uses a hard mask because one of the octets is not a 0 or a 255. The third
octet is “interesting” in this case. The key part of the trick to get the right answers is to calculate
the magic number, which is 256 – 248 = 8 in this case (256 – mask’s value in the interesting octet).
The subnet number’s value in the interesting octet (inside the box) is the multiple of the magic
number that’s not bigger than the original IP address’s value in the interesting octet. In this case,
200 is the multiple of 8 that’s closest to 200 but not bigger than 200. So, the third octet of the
subnet number is 200.

The second tricky part of this process calculates the subnet broadcast address. The full process is
described in Chapter 4, but the tricky part is, as usual, in the “interesting” octet. Take the subnet
number’s value in the interesting octet, add the magic number, and subtract 1. That’s the broadcast
address’s value in the interesting octet. In this case, 200 + 8 – 1 = 207.

Question 13: Answer

Table D-38 Question 13: Size of Network, Subnet, Host, Number of Subnets, Number of Hosts

Step Example Rules to Remember

Address 172.31.50.50 N/A
Mask 255.255.252.0 N/A
Number of network bits 16 Always defined by Class A, B, C
Number of host bits 10 Always defined as number of binary 0s in mask
Number of subnet bits 6 32 – (network size + host size)
Number of subnets 26 – 2 = 62 2number-of-subnet-bits – 2
Number of hosts 210 – 2 = 1022 2number-of-host-bits – 2
9803xd.fm Page 26 Wednesday, October 28, 2009 9:35 AM

IP Addressing Practice 26

Table D-39 shows the binary calculations of the subnet number and broadcast address. To
calculate the subnet number, perform a Boolean AND of the address with the subnet mask. To find
the broadcast address for this subnet, change all the host bits to binary 1s in the subnet number.
The host bits are in bold print in the table.

Table D-39 Question 13: Binary Calculation of Subnet and Broadcast Addresses

Address 172.31.50.50 1010 1100 0001 1111 0011 0010 0011 0010
Mask 255.255.252.0 1111 1111 1111 1111 1111 1100 0000 0000
AND result 172.31.48.0 1010 1100 0001 1111 0011 0000 0000 0000
(subnet number)
Change host to 1s 172.31.51.255 1010 1100 0001 1111 0011 0011 1111 1111
(broadcast address)

Just add 1 to the subnet number to get the first valid IP address; just subtract 1 from the broadcast
address to get the last valid IP address. In this case:

172.31.48.1 through 172.31.51.254

Table D-40 lists the way to get the same answers using the subnet chart and magic math described
in Chapter 4. Remember, subtracting the interesting (non-0 or 255) mask value from 256 yields
the magic number. The magic number multiple that’s closest to but not larger than the IP address’s
interesting octet value is the subnet value in that octet.

Table D-40 Question 13: Subnet, Broadcast, First and Last Addresses Calculated Using Subnet Chart

Octet 1 Octet 2 Octet 3 Octet 4

Address 172 31 50 50
Mask 255 255 252 0
Subnet number 172 31 48 0
First valid 172 31 48 1
address
Broadcast 172 31 51 255
Last valid 172 31 51 254
address

This subnetting scheme uses a hard mask because one of the octets is not a 0 or a 255. The third
octet is “interesting” in this case. The key part of the trick to get the right answers is to calculate
the magic number, which is 256 – 252 = 4 in this case (256 – mask’s value in the interesting octet).
The subnet number’s value in the interesting octet (inside the box) is the multiple of the magic
number that’s not bigger than the original IP address’s value in the interesting octet. In this case,
9803xd.fm Page 27 Wednesday, October 28, 2009 9:35 AM

27 CCIE Routing and Switching Exam Certification Guide

48 is the multiple of 4 that’s closest to 50 but not bigger than 50. So, the third octet of the subnet
number is 48.

The second tricky part of this process calculates the subnet broadcast address. The full process is
described in Chapter 4, but the tricky part is, as usual, in the “interesting” octet. Take the subnet
number’s value in the interesting octet, add the magic number, and subtract 1. That’s the broadcast
address’s value in the interesting octet. In this case, 48 + 4 – 1 = 51.

Question 14: Answer

Table D-41 Question 14: Size of Network, Subnet, Host, Number of Subnets, Number of Hosts

Step Example Rules to Remember

Address 172.31.50.50 N/A
Mask 255.255.254.0 N/A
Number of network bits 16 Always defined by Class A, B, C
Number of host bits 9 Always defined as number of binary 0s in mask
Number of subnet bits 7 32 – (network size + host size)
Number of subnets 27 – 2 = 126 2number-of-subnet-bits – 2
Number of hosts 29 – 2 = 510 2number-of-host-bits – 2

Table D-42 shows the binary calculations of the subnet number and broadcast address. To
calculate the subnet number, perform a Boolean AND of the address with the subnet mask. To find
the broadcast address for this subnet, change all the host bits to binary 1s in the subnet number.
The host bits are in bold print in the table.

Table D-42 Question 14: Binary Calculation of Subnet and Broadcast Addresses

Address 172.31.50.50 1010 1100 0001 1111 0011 0010 0011 0010
Mask 255.255.254.0 1111 1111 1111 1111 1111 1110 0000 0000
AND result 172.31.50.0 1010 1100 0001 1111 0011 0010 0000 0000
(subnet number)
Change host to 1s 172.31.51.255 1010 1100 0001 1111 0011 0011 1111 1111
(broadcast address)

Just add 1 to the subnet number to get the first valid IP address; just subtract 1 from the broadcast
address to get the last valid IP address. In this case:

172.31.50.1 through 172.31.51.254

9803xd.fm Page 28 Wednesday, October 28, 2009 9:35 AM

IP Addressing Practice 28

Table D-43 lists the way to get the same answers using the subnet chart and magic math described
in Chapter 4. Remember, subtracting the interesting (non-0 or 255) mask value from 256 yields
the magic number. The magic number multiple that’s closest to but not larger than the IP address’s
interesting octet value is the subnet value in that octet.

Table D-43 Question 14: Subnet, Broadcast, First and Last Addresses Calculated Using Subnet Chart
Octet 1 Octet 2 Octet 3 Octet 4
Address 172 31 50 50
Mask 255 255 254 0
Subnet number 172 31 50 0
First valid 172 31 50 1
address
Broadcast 172 31 51 255
Last valid 172 31 51 254
address

This subnetting scheme uses a hard mask because one of the octets is not a 0 or a 255. The third octet
is “interesting” in this case. The key part of the trick to get the right answers is to calculate the magic
number, which is 256 – 254 = 2 in this case (256 – mask’s value in the interesting octet). The sub-
net number’s value in the interesting octet (inside the box) is the multiple of the magic number that’s
not bigger than the original IP address’s value in the interesting octet. In this case, 50 is the multiple
of 2 that’s closest to 50 but not bigger than 50. So, the third octet of the subnet number is 50.

The second tricky part of this process calculates the subnet broadcast address. The full process is
described in Chapter 4, but the tricky part is, as usual, in the “interesting” octet. Take the subnet
number’s value in the interesting octet, add the magic number, and subtract 1. That’s the broadcast
address’s value in the interesting octet. In this case, 50 + 2 – 1 = 51.

Question 15: Answer

Table D-44 Question 15: Size of Network, Subnet, Host, Number of Subnets, Number of Hosts

Step Example Rules to Remember

Address 172.31.140.14 N/A
Mask 255.255.255.0 N/A
Number of network bits 16 Always defined by Class A, B, C
Number of host bits 8 Always defined as number of binary 0s in mask
Number of subnet bits 8 32 – (network size + host size)
Number of subnets 28 – 2 = 254 2number-of-subnet-bits – 2
Number of hosts 28 – 2 = 254 2number-of-host-bits – 2
9803xd.fm Page 29 Wednesday, October 28, 2009 9:35 AM

29 CCIE Routing and Switching Exam Certification Guide

Table D-45 shows the binary calculations of the subnet number and broadcast address. To
calculate the subnet number, perform a Boolean AND of the address with the subnet mask. To find
the broadcast address for this subnet, change all the host bits to binary 1s in the subnet number.
The host bits are in bold print in the table.

Table D-45 Question 15: Binary Calculation of Subnet and Broadcast Addresses

Address 172.31.140.14 1010 1100 0001 1111 1000 1100 0000 1110
Mask 255.255.255.0 1111 1111 1111 1111 1111 1111 0000 0000
AND result 172.31.140.0 1010 1100 0001 1111 1000 1100 0000 0000
(subnet number)
Change host to 1s 172.31.140.255 1010 1100 0001 1111 1000 1100 1111 1111
(broadcast address)

Just add 1 to the subnet number to get the first valid IP address; just subtract 1 from the broadcast
address to get the last valid IP address. In this case:

172.31.140.1 through 172.31.140.254

Table D-46 lists the way to get the same answers using the subnet chart and magic math described
in Chapter 4.

Table D-46 Question 15: Subnet, Broadcast, First and Last Addresses Calculated Using Subnet Chart

Octet 1 Octet 2 Octet 3 Octet 4

Address 172 31 140 14
Mask 255 255 255 0
Subnet number 172 31 140 0
First valid address 172 31 140 1
Broadcast 172 31 140 255
Last valid address 172 31 140 254

This subnetting scheme uses an easy mask because all of the octets are a 0 or a 255. No math tricks
are needed at all!
9803xd.fm Page 30 Wednesday, October 28, 2009 9:35 AM

IP Addressing Practice 30

Question 16: Answer

Table D-47 Question 16: Size of Network, Subnet, Host, Number of Subnets, Number of Hosts

Step Example Rules to Remember

Address 172.31.140.14 N/A
Mask 255.255.255.128 N/A
Number of network bits 16 Always defined by Class A, B, C
Number of host bits 7 Always defined as number of binary 0s in mask
Number of subnet bits 9 32 – (network size + host size)
Number of subnets 29 – 2 = 510 2number-of-subnet-bits – 2
Number of hosts 27 – 2 = 126 2number-of-host-bits – 2

Table D-48 shows the binary calculations of the subnet number and broadcast address. To
calculate the subnet number, perform a Boolean AND of the address with the subnet mask. To find
the broadcast address for this subnet, change all the host bits to binary 1s in the subnet number.
The host bits are in bold print in the table.

Table D-48 Question 16: Binary Calculation of Subnet and Broadcast Addresses

Address 172.31.140.14 1010 1100 0001 1111 1000 1100 0000 1110
Mask 255.255.255.128 1111 1111 1111 1111 1111 1111 1000 0000
AND result 172.31.140.0 1010 1100 0001 1111 1000 1100 0000 0000
(subnet number)
Change host to 1s 172.31.140.127 1010 1100 0001 1111 1000 1100 0111 1111
(broadcast address)

Just add 1 to the subnet number to get the first valid IP address; just subtract 1 from the broadcast
address to get the last valid IP address. In this case:

172.31.140.1 through 172.31.140.126

Table D-49 lists the way to get the same answers using the subnet chart and magic math described
in Chapter 4. Remember, subtracting the interesting (non-0 or 255) mask value from 256 yields
the magic number. The magic number multiple that’s closest to but not larger than the IP address’s
interesting octet value is the subnet value in that octet.
9803xd.fm Page 31 Wednesday, October 28, 2009 9:35 AM

31 CCIE Routing and Switching Exam Certification Guide

Table D-49 Question 16: Subnet, Broadcast, First and Last Addresses Calculated Using Subnet Chart
Octet 1 Octet 2 Octet 3 Octet 4
Address 172 31 140 14
Mask 255 255 255 128
Subnet number 172 31 140 0
First valid address 172 31 140 1
Broadcast 172 31 140 127
Last valid address 172 31 140 126

This subnetting scheme uses a hard mask because one of the octets is not a 0 or a 255. The fourth
octet is “interesting” in this case. The key part of the trick to get the right answers is to calculate
the magic number, which is 256 – 128 = 128 in this case (256 – mask’s value in the interesting
octet). The subnet number’s value in the interesting octet (inside the box) is the multiple of the
magic number that’s not bigger than the original IP address’s value in the interesting octet. In this
case, 0 is the multiple of 128 that’s closest to 14 but not bigger than 14. So, the fourth octet of the
subnet number is 0.

The second tricky part of this process calculates the subnet broadcast address. The full process is
described in Chapter 4, but the tricky part is, as usual, in the “interesting” octet. Take the subnet
number’s value in the interesting octet, add the magic number, and subtract 1. That’s the broadcast
address’s value in the interesting octet. In this case, 0 + 128 – 1 = 127.

Question 17: Answer

Table D-50 Question 17: Size of Network, Subnet, Host, Number of Subnets, Number of Hosts

Step Example Rules to Remember

Address 192.168.15.150 N/A
Mask 255.255.255.192 N/A
Number of network bits 24 Always defined by Class A, B, C
Number of host bits 6 Always defined as number of binary 0s in
mask
Number of subnet bits 2 32 – (network size + host size)
Number of subnets 22 –2=2 2number-of-subnet-bits – 2
Number of hosts 26 – 2 = 62 2number-of-host-bits – 2

Table D-51 shows the binary calculations of the subnet number and broadcast address. To
calculate the subnet number, perform a Boolean AND of the address with the subnet mask. To find
9803xd.fm Page 32 Wednesday, October 28, 2009 9:35 AM

IP Addressing Practice 32

the broadcast address for this subnet, change all the host bits to binary 1s in the subnet number.
The host bits are in bold print in the table.

Table D-51 Question 17: Binary Calculation of Subnet and Broadcast Addresses

Address 192.168.15.150 1100 0000 1010 1000 0000 1111 1001 0110
Mask 255.255.255.192 1111 1111 1111 1111 1111 1111 1100 0000
AND result 192.168.15.128 1100 0000 1010 1000 0000 1111 1000 0000
(subnet number)
Change host to 1s 192.168.15.191 1100 0000 1010 1000 0000 1111 1011 1111
(broadcast address)

Just add 1 to the subnet number to get the first valid IP address; just subtract 1 from the broadcast
address to get the last valid IP address. In this case:

192.168.15.129 through 192.168.15.190

Table D-52 lists the way to get the same answers using the subnet chart and magic math described
in Chapter 4. Remember, subtracting the interesting (non-0 or 255) mask value from 256 yields
the magic number. The magic number multiple that’s closest to but not larger than the IP address’s
interesting octet value is the subnet value in that octet.

Table D-52 Question 17: Subnet, Broadcast, First and Last Addresses Calculated Using Subnet Chart

Octet 1 Octet 2 Octet 3 Octet 4

Address 192 168 15 150
Mask 255 255 255 192
Subnet number 192 168 15 128
First valid address 192 168 15 129
Broadcast 192 168 15 191
Last valid address 192 168 15 190

This subnetting scheme uses a hard mask because one of the octets is not a 0 or a 255. The fourth
octet is “interesting” in this case. The key part of the trick to get the right answers is to calculate
the magic number, which is 256 – 192 = 64 in this case (256 – mask’s value in the interesting
octet). The subnet number’s value in the interesting octet (inside the box) is the multiple of the
magic number that’s not bigger than the original IP address’s value in the interesting octet. In this
case, 128 is the multiple of 64 that’s closest to 150 but not bigger than 150. So, the fourth octet of
the subnet number is 128.
9803xd.fm Page 33 Wednesday, October 28, 2009 9:35 AM

33 CCIE Routing and Switching Exam Certification Guide

The second tricky part of this process calculates the subnet broadcast address. The full process is
described in Chapter 4, but the tricky part is, as usual, in the “interesting” octet. Take the subnet
number’s value in the interesting octet, add the magic number, and subtract 1. That’s the broadcast
address’s value in the interesting octet. In this case, 128 + 64 – 1 = 191.

Question 18: Answer

Table D-53 Question 18: Size of Network, Subnet, Host, Number of Subnets, Number of Hosts

Step Example Rules to Remember

Address 192.168.15.150 N/A
Mask 255.255.255.224 N/A
Number of network bits 24 Always defined by Class A, B, C
Number of host bits 5 Always defined as number of binary 0s in mask
Number of subnet bits 3 32 – (network size +
host size)
Number of subnets 23 – 2 = 6 2number-of-subnet-bits – 2
Number of hosts 25 – 2 = 30 2number-of-host-bits – 2

Table D-54 shows the binary calculations of the subnet number and broadcast address. To
calculate the subnet number, perform a Boolean AND of the address with the subnet mask. To find
the broadcast address for this subnet, change all the host bits to binary 1s in the subnet number.
The host bits are in bold print in the table.

Table D-54 Question 18: Binary Calculation of Subnet and Broadcast Addresses

Address 192.168.15.150 1100 0000 1010 1000 0000 1111 1001 0110
Mask 255.255.255.224 1111 1111 1111 1111 1111 1111 1110 0000
AND result 192.168.15.128 1100 0000 1010 1000 0000 1111 1000 0000
(subnet number)
Change host to 1s 192.168.15.159 1100 0000 1010 1000 0000 1111 1001 1111
(broadcast address)

Just add 1 to the subnet number to get the first valid IP address; just subtract 1 from the broadcast
address to get the last valid IP address. In this case:

192.168.15.129 through 192.168.15.158

Table D-55 lists the way to get the same answers using the subnet chart and magic math described
in Chapter 4. Remember, subtracting the interesting (non-0 or 255) mask value from 256 yields
the magic number. The magic number multiple that’s closest to but not larger than the IP address’s
interesting octet value is the subnet value in that octet.
9803xd.fm Page 34 Wednesday, October 28, 2009 9:35 AM

IP Addressing Practice 34

Table D-55 Question 18: Subnet, Broadcast, First and Last Addresses Calculated Using Subnet Chart

Octet 1 Octet 2 Octet 3 Octet 4

Address 192 168 15 150
Mask 255 255 255 224
Subnet number 192 168 15 128
First valid 192 168 15 129
address
Broadcast 192 168 15 159
Last valid 192 168 15 158
address

This subnetting scheme uses a hard mask because one of the octets is not a 0 or a 255. The fourth
octet is “interesting” in this case. The key part of the trick to get the right answers is to calculate
the magic number, which is 256 – 224 = 32 in this case (256 – mask’s value in the interesting
octet). The subnet number’s value in the interesting octet (inside the box) is the multiple of the
magic number that’s not bigger than the original IP address’s value in the interesting octet. In this
case, 128 is the multiple of 32 that’s closest to 150 but not bigger than 150. So, the fourth octet of
the subnet number is 128.

The second tricky part of this process calculates the subnet broadcast address. The full process is
described in Chapter 4, but the tricky part is, as usual, in the “interesting” octet. Take the subnet
number’s value in the interesting octet, add the magic number, and subtract 1. That’s the broadcast
address’s value in the interesting octet. In this case, 128 + 32 – 1 = 159.

Question 19: Answer

Table D-56 Question 19: Size of Network, Subnet, Host, Number of Subnets, Number of Hosts

Step Example Rules to Remember

Address 192.168.100.100 N/A
Mask 255.255.255.240 N/A
Number of network bits 24 Always defined by Class A, B, C
Number of host bits 4 Always defined as number of binary 0s in mask
Number of subnet bits 4 32 – (network size + host size)
Number of subnets 24 – 2 = 14 2number-of-subnet-bits – 2
Number of hosts 24 – 2 = 14 2number-of-host-bits – 2
9803xd.fm Page 35 Wednesday, October 28, 2009 9:35 AM

35 CCIE Routing and Switching Exam Certification Guide

Table D-57 shows the binary calculations of the subnet number and broadcast address. To
calculate the subnet number, perform a Boolean AND of the address with the subnet mask. To find
the broadcast address for this subnet, change all the host bits to binary 1s in the subnet number.
The host bits are in bold print in the table.

Table D-57 Question 19: Binary Calculation of Subnet and Broadcast Addresses

Address 192.168.100.100 1100 0000 1010 1000 0110 0100 0110 0100
Mask 255.255.255.240 1111 1111 1111 1111 1111 1111 1111 0000
AND result 192.168.100.96 1100 0000 1010 1000 0110 0100 0110 0000
(subnet number)
Change host to 1s 192.168.100.111 1100 0000 1010 1000 0110 0100 0110 1111
(broadcast address)

Just add 1 to the subnet number to get the first valid IP address; just subtract 1 from the broadcast
address to get the last valid IP address. In this case:

192.168.100.97 through 192.168.100.110

Table D-58 lists the way to get the same answers using the subnet chart and magic math described
in Chapter 4. Remember, subtracting the interesting (non-0 or 255) mask value from 256 yields
the magic number. The magic number multiple that’s closest to but not larger than the IP address’s
interesting octet value is the subnet value in that octet.

Table D-58 Question 19: Subnet, Broadcast, First and Last Addresses Calculated Using Subnet Chart

Octet 1 Octet 2 Octet 3 Octet 4

Address 192 168 100 100
Mask 255 255 255 240
Subnet number 192 168 100 96
First valid address 192 168 100 97
Broadcast 192 168 100 111
Last valid address 192 168 100 110

This subnetting scheme uses a hard mask because one of the octets is not a 0 or a 255. The fourth
octet is “interesting” in this case. The key part of the trick to get the right answers is to calculate
the magic number, which is 256 – 240 = 16 in this case (256 – mask’s value in the interesting
octet). The subnet number’s value in the interesting octet (inside the box) is the multiple of the
magic number that’s not bigger than the original IP address’s value in the interesting octet. In this
case, 96 is the multiple of 16 that’s closest to 100 but not bigger than 100. So, the fourth octet of
the subnet number is 96.
9803xd.fm Page 36 Wednesday, October 28, 2009 9:35 AM

IP Addressing Practice 36

The second tricky part of this process calculates the subnet broadcast address. The full process is
described in Chapter 4, but the tricky part is, as usual, in the “interesting” octet. Take the subnet
number’s value in the interesting octet, add the magic number, and subtract 1. That’s the broadcast
address’s value in the interesting octet. In this case, 96 + 16 – 1 = 111.

Question 20: Answer

Table D-59 Question 20: Size of Network, Subnet, Host, Number of Subnets, Number of Hosts

Step Example Rules to Remember

Address 192.168.100.100 N/A
Mask 255.255.255.248 N/A
Number of network bits 24 Always defined by Class A, B, C
Number of host bits 3 Always defined as number of binary 0s in mask
Number of subnet bits 5 32 – (network size + host size)
Number of subnets 25 – 2 = 30 2number-of-subnet-bits – 2
Number of hosts 23 – 2 = 6 2number-of-host-bits – 2

Table D-60 shows the binary calculations of the subnet number and broadcast address. To
calculate the subnet number, perform a Boolean AND of the address with the subnet mask. To find
the broadcast address for this subnet, change all the host bits to binary 1s in the subnet number.
The host bits are in bold print in the table.

Table D-60 Question 20: Binary Calculation of Subnet and Broadcast Addresses
Address 192.168.100.100 1100 0000 1010 1000 0110 0100 0110 0100
Mask 255.255.255.248 1111 1111 1111 1111 1111 1111 1111 1000
AND result 192.168.100.96 1100 0000 1010 1000 0110 0100 0110 0000
(subnet number)
Change host to 1s 192.168.100.103 1100 0000 1010 1000 0110 0100 0110 0111
(broadcast address)

Just add 1 to the subnet number to get the first valid IP address; just subtract 1 from the broadcast
address to get the last valid IP address. In this case:

192.168.100.97 through 192.168.100.102

Table D-61 lists the way to get the same answers using the subnet chart and magic math described
in Chapter 4. Remember, subtracting the interesting (non-0 or 255) mask value from 256 yields
the magic number. The magic number multiple that’s closest to but not larger than the IP address’s
interesting octet value is the subnet value in that octet.
9803xd.fm Page 37 Wednesday, October 28, 2009 9:35 AM

37 CCIE Routing and Switching Exam Certification Guide

Table D-61 Question 20: Subnet, Broadcast, First and Last Addresses Calculated Using Subnet Chart

Octet 1 Octet 2 Octet 3 Octet 4

Address 192 168 100 100
Mask 255 255 255 248
Subnet number 192 168 100 96
First valid address 192 168 100 97
Broadcast 192 168 100 103
Last valid address 192 168 100 102

This subnetting scheme uses a hard mask because one of the octets is not a 0 or a 255. The fourth
octet is “interesting” in this case. The key part of the trick to get the right answers is to calculate
the magic number, which is 256 – 248 = 8 in this case (256 – mask’s value in the interesting octet).
The subnet number’s value in the interesting octet (inside the box) is the multiple of the magic
number that’s not bigger than the original IP address’s value in the interesting octet. In this case,
96 is the multiple of 8 that’s closest to 100 but not bigger than 100. So, the fourth octet of the
subnet number is 96.

The second tricky part of this process calculates the subnet broadcast address. The full process is
described in Chapter 4, but the tricky part is, as usual, in the “interesting” octet. Take the subnet
number’s value in the interesting octet, add the magic number, and subtract 1. That’s the broadcast
address’s value in the interesting octet. In this case, 96 + 8 – 1 = 103.

Question 21: Answer

Table D-62 Question 21: Size of Network, Subnet, Host, Number of Subnets, Number of Hosts

Step Example Rules to Remember

Address 192.168.15.230 N/A
Mask 255.255.255.252 N/A
Number of network bits 24 Always defined by Class A, B, C
Number of host bits 2 Always defined as number of binary 0s in mask
Number of subnet bits 6 32 – (network size + host size)
Number of subnets 26 – 2 = 62 2number-of-subnet-bits – 2
Number of hosts 22 – 2 = 2 2number-of-host-bits – 2

Table D-63 shows the binary calculations of the subnet number and broadcast address. To
calculate the subnet number, perform a Boolean AND of the address with the subnet mask. To find
the broadcast address for this subnet, change all the host bits to binary 1s in the subnet number.
The host bits are in bold print in the table.
9803xd.fm Page 38 Wednesday, October 28, 2009 9:35 AM

IP Addressing Practice 38

Table D-63 Question 21: Binary Calculation of Subnet and Broadcast Addresses

Address 192.168.15.230 1100 0000 1010 1000 0000 1111 1110 0110
Mask 255.255.255.252 1111 1111 1111 1111 1111 1111 1111 1100
AND result 192.168.15.228 1100 0000 1010 1000 0000 1111 1110 0100
(subnet number)
Change host to 1s 192.168.15.231 1100 0000 1010 1000 0000 1111 1110 0111
(broadcast address)

Just add 1 to the subnet number to get the first valid IP address; just subtract 1 from the broadcast
address to get the last valid IP address. In this case:

192.168.15.229 through 192.168.15.230

Table D-64 lists the way to get the same answers using the subnet chart and magic math described
in Chapter 4. Remember, subtracting the interesting (non-0 or 255) mask value from 256 yields
the magic number. The magic number multiple that’s closest to but not larger than the IP address’s
interesting octet value is the subnet value in that octet.

Table D-64 Question 21: Subnet, Broadcast, First and Last Addresses Calculated Using Subnet Chart

Octet 1 Octet 2 Octet 3 Octet 4

Address 192 168 15 230
Mask 255 255 255 252
Subnet number 192 168 15 228
First valid 192 168 15 229
address
Broadcast 192 168 15 231
Last valid 192 168 15 230
address

This subnetting scheme uses a hard mask because one of the octets is not a 0 or a 255. The fourth
octet is “interesting” in this case. The key part of the trick to get the right answers is to calculate
the magic number, which is 256 – 252 = 4 in this case (256 – mask’s value in the interesting octet).
The subnet number’s value in the interesting octet (inside the box) is the multiple of the magic
number that’s not bigger than the original IP address’s value in the interesting octet. In this case,
228 is the multiple of 4 that’s closest to 230 but not bigger than 230. So, the fourth octet of the
subnet number is 228.

The second tricky part of this process calculates the subnet broadcast address. The full process is
described in Chapter 4, but the tricky part is, as usual, in the “interesting” octet. Take the subnet
9803xd.fm Page 39 Wednesday, October 28, 2009 9:35 AM

39 CCIE Routing and Switching Exam Certification Guide

number’s value in the interesting octet, add the magic number, and subtract 1. That’s the broadcast
address’s value in the interesting octet. In this case, 228 + 4 – 1 = 231.

Question 22: Answer

Table D-65 Question 22: Size of Network, Subnet, Host, Number of Subnets, Number of Hosts
Step Example Rules to Remember
Address 10.1.1.1 N/A
Mask 255.248.0.0 N/A
Number of network bits 8 Always defined by Class A, B,
C
Number of host bits 19 Always defined as number of
binary 0s in mask
Number of subnet bits 5 32 – (network size + host size)
Number of subnets 25 – 2 = 30 2number-of-subnet-bits – 2
Number of hosts 219 – 2 = 524,286 2number-of-host-bits – 2

Table D-66 shows the binary calculations of the subnet number and broadcast address. To
calculate the subnet number, perform a Boolean AND of the address with the subnet mask. To find
the broadcast address for this subnet, change all the host bits to binary 1s in the subnet number.
The host bits are in bold print in the table.

Table D-66 Question 22: Binary Calculation of Subnet and Broadcast Addresses

Address 10.1.1.1 0000 1010 0000 0001 0000 0001 0000 0001
Mask 255.248.0.0 1111 1111 1111 1000 0000 0000 0000 0000
AND result 10.0.0.0 0000 1010 0000 0000 0000 0000 0000 0000
(subnet number)
Change host to 1s 10.7.255.255 0000 1010 0000 0111 1111 1111 1111 1111
(broadcast address)

Just add 1 to the subnet number to get the first valid IP address; just subtract 1 from the broadcast
address to get the last valid IP address. In this case:

10.0.0.1 through 10.7.255.254

Take a closer look at the subnet part of the subnet address, as is shown in bold here: 0000 1010
0000 0000 0000 0000 0000 0000. The subnet part of the address is all binary 0s, making this
subnet a zero subnet.
9803xd.fm Page 40 Wednesday, October 28, 2009 9:35 AM

IP Addressing Practice 40

Table D-67 lists the way to get the same answers using the subnet chart and magic math described
in Chapter 4. Remember, subtracting the interesting (non-0 or 255) mask value from 256 yields
the magic number. The magic number multiple that’s closest to but not larger than the IP address’s
interesting octet value is the subnet value in that octet.

Table D-67 Question 22: Subnet, Broadcast, First and Last Addresses Calculated Using Subnet Chart
Octet 1 Octet 2 Octet 3 Octet 4
Address 10 1 1 1
Mask 255 248 0 0
Subnet number 10 0 0 0
First valid address 10 0 0 1
Broadcast 10 7 255 255
Last valid address 10 7 255 254

This subnetting scheme uses a hard mask because one of the octets is not a 0 or a 255. The second
octet is “interesting” in this case. The key part of the trick to get the right answers is to calculate the
magic number, which is 256 – 248 = 8 in this case (256 – mask’s value in the interesting octet). The
subnet number’s value in the interesting octet (inside the box) is the multiple of the magic number
that’s not bigger than the original IP address’s value in the interesting octet. In this case, 0 is the
multiple of 8 that’s closest to 1 but not bigger than 1. So, the second octet of the subnet number is 0.

The second tricky part of this process calculates the subnet broadcast address. The full process is
described in Chapter 4, but the tricky part is, as usual, in the “interesting” octet. Take the subnet
number’s value in the interesting octet, add the magic number, and subtract 1. That’s the broadcast
address’s value in the interesting octet. In this case, 0 + 8 – 1 = 7.

Question 23: Answer

Table D-68 Question 23: Size of Network, Subnet, Host, Number of Subnets, Number of Hosts

Step Example Rules to Remember

Address 172.16.1.200 N/A
Mask 255.255.240.0 N/A
Number of network bits 16 Always defined by Class A, B,
C
Number of host bits 12 Always defined as number of
binary 0s in mask
Number of subnet bits 4 32 – (network size + host size)
Number of subnets 24 – 2 = 14 2number-of-subnet-bits – 2
Number of hosts 212 – 2 = 4094 2number-of-host-bits – 2
9803xd.fm Page 41 Wednesday, October 28, 2009 9:35 AM

41 CCIE Routing and Switching Exam Certification Guide

Table D-69 shows the binary calculations of the subnet number and broadcast address. To
calculate the subnet number, perform a Boolean AND of the address with the subnet mask. To find
the broadcast address for this subnet, change all the host bits to binary 1s in the subnet number.
The host bits are in bold print in the table.

Table D-69 Question 23: Binary Calculation of Subnet and Broadcast Addresses

Address 172.16.1.200 1010 1100 0001 0000 0000 0001 1100 1000
Mask 255.255.240.0 1111 1111 1111 1111 1111 0000 0000 0000
AND result 172.16.0.0 1010 1100 0001 0000 0000 0000 0000 0000
(subnet number)
Change host to 1s 172.16.15.255 1010 1100 0001 0000 0000 1111 1111 1111
(broadcast address)

Just add 1 to the subnet number to get the first valid IP address; just subtract 1 from the broadcast
address to get the last valid IP address. In this case:

172.16.0.1 through 172.16.15.254

Take a closer look at the subnet part of the subnet address, as shown in bold here: 1010 1100 0001
0000 0000 0000 0000 0000. The subnet part of the address is all binary 0s, making this subnet a
zero subnet.

Table D-70 lists the way to get the same answers using the subnet chart and magic math described
in Chapter 4. Remember, subtracting the interesting (non-0 or 255) mask value from 256 yields
the magic number. The magic number multiple that’s closest to but not larger than the IP address’s
interesting octet value is the subnet value in that octet.

Table D-70 Question 23: Subnet, Broadcast, First and Last Addresses Calculated Using Subnet Chart
Octet 1 Octet 2 Octet 3 Octet 4
Address 172 16 1 200
Mask 255 255 240 0
Subnet number 172 16 0 0
First valid 172 16 0 1
address
Broadcast 172 16 15 255
Last valid 172 16 15 254
address
9803xd.fm Page 42 Wednesday, October 28, 2009 9:35 AM

IP Addressing Practice 42

This subnetting scheme uses a hard mask because one of the octets is not a 0 or a 255. The third
octet is “interesting” in this case. The key part of the trick to get the right answers is to calculate
the magic number, which is 256 – 240 = 16 in this case (256 – mask’s value in the interesting
octet). The subnet number’s value in the interesting octet (inside the box) is the multiple of the
magic number that’s not bigger than the original IP address’s value in the interesting octet. In this
case, 0 is the multiple of 16 that’s closest to 1 but not bigger than 1. So, the third octet of the subnet
number is 0.

The second tricky part of this process calculates the subnet broadcast address. The full process is
described in Chapter 4, but the tricky part is, as usual, in the “interesting” octet. Take the subnet
number’s value in the interesting octet, add the magic number, and subtract 1. That’s the broadcast
address’s value in the interesting octet. In this case, 0 + 16 – 1 = 15.

Question 24: Answer

Table D-71 Question 24: Size of Network, Subnet, Host, Number of Subnets, Number of Hosts

Step Example Rules to Remember

Address 172.16.0.200 N/A
Mask 255.255.255.192 N/A
Number of network bits 16 Always defined by Class A, B, C
Number of host bits 6 Always defined as number of binary 0s in
mask
Number of subnet bits 10 32 – (network size + host size)
Number of subnets 210 – 2 = 1022 2number-of-subnet-bits – 2
Number of hosts 26 – 2 = 62 2number-of-host-bits – 2

Table D-72 shows the binary calculations of the subnet number and broadcast address. To
calculate the subnet number, perform a Boolean AND of the address with the subnet mask. To find
the broadcast address for this subnet, change all the host bits to binary 1s in the subnet number.
The host bits are in bold print in the table.

Table D-72 Question 24: Binary Calculation of Subnet and Broadcast Addresses

Address 172.16.0.200 1010 1100 0001 0000 0000 0000 1100 1000
Mask 255.255.255.192 1111 1111 1111 1111 1111 1111 1100 0000
AND result 172.16.0.192 1010 1100 0001 0000 0000 0000 1100 0000
(subnet number)
Change host to 1s 172.16.0.255 1010 1100 0001 0000 0000 0000 1111 1111
(broadcast address)
9803xd.fm Page 43 Wednesday, October 28, 2009 9:35 AM

43 CCIE Routing and Switching Exam Certification Guide

Just add 1 to the subnet number to get the first valid IP address; just subtract 1 from the broadcast
address to get the last valid IP address. In this case:

172.16.0.193 through 172.16.0.254

Table D-73 lists the way to get the same answers using the subnet chart and magic math described
in Chapter 4. Remember, subtracting the interesting (non-0 or 255) mask value from 256 yields
the magic number. The magic number multiple that’s closest to but not larger than the IP address’s
interesting octet value is the subnet value in that octet.

Table D-73 Question 24: Subnet, Broadcast, First and Last Addresses Calculated Using Subnet Chart

Octet 1 Octet 2 Octet 3 Octet 4

Address 172 16 0 200
Mask 255 255 255 192
Subnet number 172 16 0 192
First valid address 172 16 0 193
Broadcast 172 16 0 255
Last valid address 172 16 0 254

This subnetting scheme uses a hard mask because one of the octets is not a 0 or a 255. The fourth
octet is “interesting” in this case. The key part of the trick to get the right answers is to calculate
the magic number, which is 256 – 192 = 64 in this case (256 – mask’s value in the interesting
octet). The subnet number’s value in the interesting octet (inside the box) is the multiple of the
magic number that’s not bigger than the original IP address’s value in the interesting octet. In this
case, 192 is the multiple of 64 that’s closest to 200 but not bigger than 200. So, the fourth octet of
the subnet number is 192.

The second tricky part of this process calculates the subnet broadcast address. The full process is
described in Chapter 4, but the tricky part is, as usual, in the “interesting” octet. Take the subnet
number’s value in the interesting octet, add the magic number, and subtract 1. That’s the broadcast
address’s value in the interesting octet. In this case, 192 + 64 – 1 = 255.

You can easily forget that the subnet part of this address, when using this mask, actually covers all
of the third octet as well as 2 bits of the fourth octet. For instance, the valid subnet numbers in
order are listed here, starting with the first valid subnet by avoiding subnet 172.16.0.0–the zero
subnet in this case:

172.16.0.64
172.16.0.128
172.16.0.192
172.16.1.0
9803xd.fm Page 44 Wednesday, October 28, 2009 9:35 AM

IP Addressing Practice 44

172.16.1.64
172.16.1.128
172.16.1.192
172.16.2.0
172.16.2.64
172.16.2.128
172.16.2.192
172.16.3.0
172.16.3.64
172.16.3.128
172.16.3.192
And so on.

Question 25: Answer

Congratulations, you made it through all the extra subnetting practice! Here’s an easy one to
complete your review—one with no subnetting at all!

Table D-74 Question 25: Size of Network, Subnet, Host, Number of Subnets, Number of Hosts

Step Example Rules to Remember

Address 10.1.1.1 N/A
Mask 255.0.0.0 N/A
Number of network bits 8 Always defined by Class A, B, C
Number of host bits 24 Always defined as number of binary 0s in mask
Number of subnet bits 0 32 – (network size + host size)
Number of subnets 0 2number-of-subnet-bits – 2
Number of hosts 224 – 2 = 2number-of-host-bits – 2
16,777,214

Table D-75 shows the binary calculations of the subnet number and broadcast address. To
calculate the subnet number, perform a Boolean AND of the address with the subnet mask. To find
the broadcast address for this subnet, change all the host bits to binary 1s in the subnet number.
The host bits are in bold print in the table.

Table D-75 Question 25: Binary Calculation of Subnet and Broadcast Addresses

Address 10.1.1.1 0000 1010 0000 0001 0000 0001 0000 0001
Mask 255.0.0.0 1111 1111 0000 0000 0000 0000 0000 0000
AND result 10.0.0.0 0000 1010 0000 0000 0000 0000 0000 0000
(subnet number)
Change host to 1s 10.255.255.255 0000 1010 1111 1111 1111 1111 1111 1111
(broadcast address)
9803xd.fm Page 45 Wednesday, October 28, 2009 9:35 AM

45 CCIE Routing and Switching Exam Certification Guide

Just add 1 to the subnet number to get the first valid IP address; just subtract 1 from the broadcast
address to get the last valid IP address. In this case:

10.0.0.1 through 10.255.255.254

Table D-76 lists the way to get the same answers using the subnet chart and magic math described
in Chapter 4.

Table D-76 Question 25: Subnet, Broadcast, First and Last Addresses Calculated Using Subnet Chart

Octet 1 Octet 2 Octet 3 Octet 4

Address 10 1 1 1
Mask 255 0 0 0
Network number 10 0 0 0
First valid address 10 0 0 1
Broadcast 10 255 255 255
Last valid address 10 255 255 254

Discovering All Subnets When Using SLSM: 13 Questions

This section covers the second class of IP addressing problems mentioned in the introduction to
this appendix. The question is as follows:

Assuming SLSM, what are the subnets of this network?

For practice, answer that question for the following networks and masks:

1. 10.0.0.0, mask 255.192.0.0

2. 10.0.0.0, mask 255.224.0.0
3. 10.0.0.0, mask 255.248.0.0
4. 10.0.0.0, mask 255.252.0.0
5. 10.0.0.0, mask 255.255.128.0
6. 10.0.0.0, mask 255.255.192.0
7. 172.31.0.0, mask 255.255.224.0
8. 172.31.0.0, mask 255.255.240.0
9. 172.31.0.0, mask 255.255.252.0
10. 172.31.0.0, mask 255.255.255.224
11. 192.168.15.0, mask 255.255.255.192
9803xd.fm Page 46 Wednesday, October 28, 2009 9:35 AM

IP Addressing Practice 46

12. 192.168.15.0, mask 255.255.255.224

13. 192.168.15.0, mask 255.255.255.240
These questions are mostly a subset of the same 25 subnetting questions covered in the first section
of this appendix. The explanations of the answers will be based on the seven-step algorithm from
Chapter 4, repeated here for convenience. Also, keep in mind that this formal algorithm assumes
that the subnet field is 8 bits in length or less. However, some problems in this appendix have a
longer subnet field. For those problems, the answer explains how to expand the logic in this
baseline algorithm.

Step 1 Write down the classful network number.

Step 2 For the first (lowest numeric) subnet number, copy the entire network
number. That is the first subnet number, and is also the zero subnet.
Step 3 Decide which octet contains the entire subnet field; call this octet the
interesting octet. (Remember, this algorithm assumes 8 subnet bits or less.)
Step 4 Calculate the magic number by subtracting the mask’s interesting octet
value from 256.
Step 5 Copy down the previous subnet number’s noninteresting octets onto the
next line as the next subnet number; only one octet is missing at this point.
Step 6 Add the magic number to the previous subnet’s interesting octet, and write
that down as the next subnet number’s interesting octet, completing the next
subnet number.
Step 7 Repeat Steps 5 and 6 until the new interesting octet is 256. That subnet is
not valid. The previously calculated subnet is the last valid subnet, and also
the broadcast subnet.

Question 1: Answer
This question begins with the following basic facts:

Network 10.0.0.0
Mask 255.192.0.0
From there, Steps 3 and 4 ask for the following pieces of information:

Interesting octet: 2nd

Magic number: 256 – 192 = 64
From there, Table D-77 shows the rest of the steps for the process.
9803xd.fm Page 47 Wednesday, October 28, 2009 9:35 AM

47 CCIE Routing and Switching Exam Certification Guide

Table D-77 Question 1 Answer: Network 10.0.0.0, Mask 255.192.0.0

Step Octet #1 Octet #2 Octet #3 Octet #4

1) Network number 10 0 0 0

2) Zero subnet 10 0 0 0

5) Next subnet 10 64 0 0

6) Next subnet 10 128 0 0

6) Broadcast subnet 10 192 0 0

7) Invalid subnet* 10 256 0 0

*The invalid subnet row is just a reminder used by this process as to when to stop.

Note that the broadcast subnet number may not have been obvious until attempting to write the
final (invalid) next subnet number, as seen in the last row of the table. You can follow the steps
shown in the table, knowing that when the interesting octet’s value is 256, you have gone too far.
The broadcast subnet is the subnet that was found one step prior.

Alternately, you can find the broadcast subnet based on the following fact: the broadcast subnet’s
interesting octet is equal to the subnet mask value in that same octet.

Question 2: Answer
This question begins with the following basic facts:

Network 10.0.0.0
Mask 255.224.0.0
From there, Steps 3 and 4 ask for the following pieces of information:

Interesting octet: 2nd

Magic number: 256 – 224 = 32
From there, Table D-78 shows the rest of the steps for the process.
9803xd.fm Page 48 Wednesday, October 28, 2009 9:35 AM

IP Addressing Practice 48

Table D-78 Question 2 Answer: Network 10.0.0.0, Mask 255.224.0.0

Step Octet #1 Octet #2 Octet #3 Octet #4

1) Network number 10 0 0 0

2) Zero subnet 10 0 0 0

5) Next subnet 10 32 0 0

6) Next subnet 10 64 0 0

6) Next subnet 10 96 0 0

6) Generic representation of next subnet 10 X 0 0

6) Broadcast subnet 10 224 0 0

7) Invalid subnet* 10 256 0 0

*The invalid subnet row is just a reminder used by this process as to when to stop.

Note that the subnet numbers’ interesting octet (second octet in this case) simply increments by
the magic number. To reduce the space required by the table, after the pattern is obvious, the table
represents the remaining subnet numbers before the broadcast subnet as a generic value, 10.X.0.0.
The subnets not specifically listed are 10.128.0.0, 10.160.0.0, and 10.192.0.0.

Question 3: Answer
This question begins with the following basic facts:

Network 10.0.0.0
Mask 255.248.0.0
From there, Steps 3 and 4 ask for the following pieces of information:

Interesting octet: 2nd

Magic number: 256 – 248 = 8
From there, Table D-79 shows the rest of the steps for the process.

Table D-79 Question 3 Answer: Network 10.0.0.0, Mask 255.248.0.0

Step Octet #1 Octet #2 Octet #3 Octet #4

1) Network number 10 0 0 0

2) Zero subnet 10 0 0 0

5) Next subnet 10 8 0 0

continues
9803xd.fm Page 49 Wednesday, October 28, 2009 9:35 AM

49 CCIE Routing and Switching Exam Certification Guide

Table D-79 Question 3 Answer: Network 10.0.0.0, Mask 255.248.0.0 (Continued)

Step Octet #1 Octet #2 Octet #3 Octet #4

6) Next subnet 10 16 0 0

6) Next subnet 10 24 0 0

6) Generic representation of next subnet 10 X 0 0

6) Broadcast subnet 10 248 0 0

7) Invalid subnet* 10 256 0 0

*The invalid subnet row is just a reminder used by this process as to when to stop.

Note that the subnet numbers’ interesting octet (second octet in this case) simply increments by
the magic number. To reduce the space required by the table, after the pattern is obvious, the table
represents the remaining subnet numbers before the broadcast subnet as a generic value, 10.x.0.0.
The subnets not specifically listed simply have a multiple of 8 in the second octet.

Question 4: Answer
This question begins with the following basic facts:

Network 10.0.0.0
Mask 255.252.0.0
From there, Steps 3 and 4 ask for the following pieces of information:

Interesting octet: 2nd

Magic number: 256 – 252 = 4
From there, Table D-80 shows the rest of the steps for the process.

Table D-80 Question 4 Answer: Network 10.0.0.0, Mask 255.252.0.0

Step Octet #1 Octet #2 Octet #3 Octet #4

1) Network number 10 0 0 0

2) Zero subnet 10 0 0 0

5) Next subnet 10 4 0 0

6) Next subnet 10 8 0 0

6) Next subnet 10 12 0 0
9803xd.fm Page 50 Wednesday, October 28, 2009 9:35 AM

IP Addressing Practice 50

Table D-80 Question 4 Answer: Network 10.0.0.0, Mask 255.252.0.0 (Continued)

Step Octet #1 Octet #2 Octet #3 Octet #4

6) Generic representation of next subnet 10 X 0 0

6) Broadcast subnet 10 252 0 0

7) Invalid subnet* 10 256 0 0

*The invalid subnet row is just a reminder used by this process as to when to stop.

Note that the subnet numbers’ interesting octet (second octet in this case) simply increments by
the magic number. To reduce the space required by the table, after the pattern is obvious, the table
represents the remaining subnet numbers before the broadcast subnet as a generic value, 10.x.0.0.
The subnets not specifically listed simply have a multiple of 4 in the second octet.

Question 5: Answer
This question begins with the following basic facts:

Network 10.0.0.0
Mask 255.255.128.0
From there, Steps 3 and 4 ask for the following pieces of information:

Interesting octet: 3rd

Magic number: 256 – 128 = 128
This question actually uses a subnet field that spans all of the second octet, and a single bit in the
third octet. As a result, the original seven-step process, which assumes a 1-octet-or-less subnet
field, cannot be used. However, an expanded process is described along with the answer to this
question.

NOTE Many of you may intuitively see the way to find the complete answer to this question,
long before you finish reading the revised process listed here. If you think you are getting the
idea, you probably are, so do not let the details in the text get in the way.

First, Table D-81 shows the beginning of the process, which occurs just like the earlier examples,
except that the interesting octet is now the third octet.
9803xd.fm Page 51 Wednesday, October 28, 2009 9:35 AM

51 CCIE Routing and Switching Exam Certification Guide

Table D-81 Question 5 Answer, Part 1: Network 10.0.0.0, Mask 255.255.128.0

Step Octet #1 Octet #2 Octet #3 Octet #4

1) Network number 10 0 0 0

2) Zero subnet 10 0 0 0

5) Next subnet 10 0 128 0

7) Invalid subnet* 10 0 256 0

*The invalid subnet row is just a reminder used by this process as to when to stop.

At this point, the last number is obviously an invalid subnet number due to the 256 in the third
octet. Instead of that fact signifying the end of the process, it means you should do the following:

Record the next subnet, based on the following changes to the previous valid subnet
number: add 1 to the octet to the left of the interesting octet, and set the interesting octet
to 0.
In this case, this new step runs as follows:

■ The previous valid subnet is 10.0.128.0.

■ Add 1 to the octet to the left of the interesting octet (value 0); the next subnet number’s second
octet will then be 1.

■ The next subnet number’s interesting octet will be 0.

Each time the next subnet number would have had a 256 in the interesting octet, you instead
follow this new step. It is a little like normal decimal addition. For example, when you add 319
and 1, you add 1 and 9, write down a 0, and carry the 1 to the next digit to the left. It is much
more obvious through examples, though. So, to complete the logic, Table D-82 shows the
example, with this new logic implemented. (Note that the new step has been labeled as Step 8.)

Table D-82 Question 5 Answer, Part 2: Network 10.0.0.0, Mask 255.255.128.0

Step Octet #1 Octet #2 Octet #3 Octet #4

1) Network number 10 0 0 0

2) Zero subnet 10 0 0 0

5) Next subnet 10 0 128 0

8) Increment in the octet to the left, and use 0 in 10 1 0 0

the interesting octet
9803xd.fm Page 52 Wednesday, October 28, 2009 9:35 AM

IP Addressing Practice 52

Table D-82 Question 5 Answer, Part 2: Network 10.0.0.0, Mask 255.255.128.0 (Continued)

Step Octet #1 Octet #2 Octet #3 Octet #4

5) Next subnet 10 1 128 0

8) Increment in the octet to the left, and use 0 in 10 2 0 0

the interesting octet

5) Next subnet 10 2 128 0

8) Increment in the octet to the left, and use 0 in 10 3 0 0

the interesting octet

5) Next subnet 10 3 128 0

8) Increment in the octet to the left, and use 0 in 10 4 0 0

the interesting octet

5) Next subnet 10 4 128 0

5) Generic view 10 X 0/128 0

6) Broadcast subnet 10 255 128 0

7) Invalid subnet* 10 256 0 0

*The invalid subnet row is just a reminder used by this process as to when to stop.

The end of the table is found in this example when the octet to the left of the interesting octet
reaches 256. The previously listed subnet is the broadcast subnet.

Question 6: Answer
This question begins with the following basic facts:

Network 10.0.0.0
Mask 255.255.192.0
From there, Steps 3 and 4 ask for the following pieces of information:

Interesting octet: 3rd

Magic number: 256 – 192 = 64
Like the previous question, this question actually uses a subnet field larger than 1 octet. As a result,
the expanded version of the seven-step process is used. First, Table D-83 shows the beginning of
the process, which occurs just like the standard seven-step process.
9803xd.fm Page 53 Wednesday, October 28, 2009 9:35 AM

53 CCIE Routing and Switching Exam Certification Guide

Table D-83 Question 6 Answer, Part 1: Network 10.0.0.0, Mask 255.255.192.0

Step Octet #1 Octet #2 Octet #3 Octet #4

1) Network number 10 0 0 0

2) Zero subnet 10 0 0 0

5) Next subnet 10 0 64 0

5) Next subnet 10 0 128 0

5) Next subnet 10 0 192 0

7) Invalid subnet* 10 0 256 0

*The invalid subnet row is just a reminder used by this process as to when to stop.

After finding a 256 in the interesting octet, the extra bit of logic is applied, as follows:

Record the next subnet, based on the following changes to the previous valid subnet
number: add 1 to the octet to the left of the interesting octet, and set the interesting octet
to 0.
Table D-84 shows the actual values.

Table D-84 Question 6 Answer, Part 2: Network 10.0.0.0, Mask 255.255.192.0

Step Octet #1 Octet #2 Octet #3 Octet #4

1) Network number 10 0 0 0

2) Zero subnet 10 0 0 0

5) Next subnet 10 0 64 0

5) Next subnet 10 0 128 0

5) Next subnet 10 0 192 0

8) Increment in the octet to the left, and use 0 10 1 0 0

in the interesting octet

5) Next subnet 10 1 64 0

5) Next subnet 10 1 128 0

5) Next subnet 10 1 192 0

8) Increment in the octet to the left, and use 0 10 2 0 0

in the interesting octet

5) Next subnet 10 2 64 0
9803xd.fm Page 54 Wednesday, October 28, 2009 9:35 AM

IP Addressing Practice 54

Table D-84 Question 6 Answer, Part 2: Network 10.0.0.0, Mask 255.255.192.0 (Continued)

Step Octet #1 Octet #2 Octet #3 Octet #4

5) Generic view 10 X 0/64/128/ 0

192

6) Broadcast subnet 10 255 192 0

7) Invalid subnet* 10 256 0 0

*The invalid subnet row is just a reminder used by this process as to when to stop.

The end of the table is found in this example when the octet to the left of the interesting octet
reaches 256. The previously listed subnet is the broadcast subnet.

Question 7: Answer
This question begins with the following basic facts:

Network 172.31.0.0
Mask 255.255.224.0
From there, Steps 3 and 4 ask for the following pieces of information:

Interesting octet: 3rd

Magic number: 256 – 224 = 32
From there, Table D-85 shows the rest of the steps for the process.

Table D-85 Question 7 Answer: Network 172.31.0.0, Mask 255.255.224.0

Step Octet #1 Octet #2 Octet #3 Octet #4

1) Network number 172 31 0 0

2) Zero subnet 172 31 0 0

5) Next subnet 172 31 32 0

5) Next subnet 172 31 64 0

5) Next subnet 172 31 96 0

5) Next subnet 172 31 128 0

continues
9803xd.fm Page 55 Wednesday, October 28, 2009 9:35 AM

55 CCIE Routing and Switching Exam Certification Guide

Table D-85 Question 7 Answer: Network 172.31.0.0, Mask 255.255.224.0 (Continued)

Step Octet #1 Octet #2 Octet #3 Octet #4

5) Next subnet 172 31 160 0

5) Next subnet 172 31 192 0

6) Broadcast subnet 172 31 224 0

7) Invalid subnet* 172 31 256 0

*The invalid subnet row is just a reminder used by this process as to when to stop.

Note that the subnet numbers’ interesting octet (third octet in this case) simply increments by the
magic number.

Question 8: Answer
This question begins with the following basic facts:

Network 172.31.0.0
Mask 255.255.240.0
From there, Steps 3 and 4 ask for the following pieces of information:

Interesting octet: 3rd

Magic number: 256 – 240 = 16
From there, Table D-86 shows the rest of the steps for the process.

Table D-86 Question 8 Answer: Network 172.31.0.0, Mask 255.255.240.0

Step Octet #1 Octet #2 Octet #3 Octet #4

1) Network number 172 31 0 0

2) Zero subnet 172 31 0 0

5) Next subnet 172 31 16 0

5) Next subnet 172 31 32 0

5) Next subnet 172 31 48 0

5) Next subnet 172 31 64 0

9803xd.fm Page 56 Wednesday, October 28, 2009 9:35 AM

IP Addressing Practice 56

Table D-86 Question 8 Answer: Network 172.31.0.0, Mask 255.255.240.0 (Continued)

Step Octet #1 Octet #2 Octet #3 Octet #4

5) Next subnet 172 31 x 0

6) Broadcast subnet 172 31 240 0

7) Invalid subnet* 172 31 256 0

*The invalid subnet row is just a reminder used by this process as to when to stop.

Note that the subnet numbers’ interesting octet (third octet in this case) simply increments by the
magic number. To reduce the space required by the table, the table represents the remaining subnet
numbers before the broadcast subnet as a generic value, 172.31.x.0. The subnets not specifically
listed simply have a multiple of 16 in the third octet.

Question 9: Answer
This question begins with the following basic facts:

Network 172.31.0.0
Mask 255.255.252.0
From there, Steps 3 and 4 ask for the following pieces of information:

Interesting octet: 3rd

Magic number: 256 – 252 = 4
From there, Table D-87 shows the rest of the steps for the process.

Table D-87 Question 9 Answer: Network 172.31.0.0, Mask 255.255.252.0

Step Octet #1 Octet #2 Octet #3 Octet #4

1) Network number 172 31 0 0

2) Zero subnet 172 31 0 0

5) Next subnet 172 31 4 0

5) Next subnet 172 31 8 0

5) Next subnet 172 31 12 0

5) Next subnet 172 31 16 0

5) Next subnet 172 31 x 0

6) Broadcast subnet 172 31 252 0

7) Invalid subnet* 172 31 256 0

*The invalid subnet row is just a reminder used by this process as to when to stop.
9803xd.fm Page 57 Wednesday, October 28, 2009 9:35 AM

57 CCIE Routing and Switching Exam Certification Guide

Note that the subnet numbers’ interesting octet (third octet in this case) simply increments by the
magic number. To reduce the space required by the table, the table represents the remaining subnet
numbers before the broadcast subnet as a generic value, 172.31.x.0. The subnets not specifically
listed simply have a multiple of 4 in the third octet.

Question 10: Answer

This question begins with the following basic facts:

Network 172.31.0.0
Mask 255.255.255.224
From there, Steps 3 and 4 ask for the following pieces of information:

Interesting octet: 4th

Magic number: 256 – 224 = 32
This question uses a subnet field larger than 1 octet, requiring the expanded version of the process
as seen in Questions 5 and 6. Table D-88 shows the beginning of the process.

Table D-88 Question 10 Answer, Part 1: Network 172.31.0.0, Mask 255.255.255.224

Step Octet #1 Octet #2 Octet #3 Octet #4

1) Network number 172 31 0 0

2) Zero subnet 172 31 0 0

5) Next subnet 172 31 0 32

5) Next subnet 172 31 0 64

5) Next subnet 172 31 0 96

5) Next subnet 172 31 0 128

5) Next subnet 172 31 0 160

5) Next subnet 172 31 0 192

5) Next subnet 172 31 0 224

7) Invalid subnet* 172 31 0 256

*The invalid subnet row is just a reminder used by this process as to when to stop.
9803xd.fm Page 58 Wednesday, October 28, 2009 9:35 AM

IP Addressing Practice 58

After finding a 256 in the interesting octet, the extra bit of logic is applied, as follows:

Record the next subnet, based on the following changes to the previous valid subnet
number: add 1 to the octet to the left of the interesting octet, and set the interesting octet
to 0.
Table D-89 shows the actual values.

Table D-89 Question 10 Answer, Part 2: Network 172.31.0.0, Mask 255.255.255.224

Step Octet #1 Octet #2 Octet #3 Octet #4

1) Network number 172 31 0 0

2) Zero subnet 172 31 0 0

5) Next subnet 172 31 0 32

5) Next subnet 172 31 0 64

5) Next subnet 172 31 0 128

5) Next subnet 172 31 0 192

5) Next subnet 172 31 0 224

8) Increment in the octet to the left, and use 0 172 31 1 0

in the interesting octet

5) Next subnet 172 31 1 32

5) Next subnet 172 31 1 64

5) Next subnet 172 31 1 128

5) Next subnet 172 31 1 160

5) Next subnet 172 31 1 192

5) Next subnet 172 31 1 224

8) Increment in the octet to the left, and use 0 172 31 2 0

in the interesting octet

5) Generic view 172 31 X Y

6) Broadcast subnet 172 31 255 224

7) Invalid subnet* 172 31 256 0

*The invalid subnet row is just a reminder used by this process as to when to stop.
9803xd.fm Page 59 Wednesday, October 28, 2009 9:35 AM

59 CCIE Routing and Switching Exam Certification Guide

The end of the table is found in this example when the octet to the left of the interesting octet
reaches 256. The previously listed subnet is the broadcast subnet.

Question 11: Answer

This question begins with the following basic facts:

Network 192.168.15.0
Mask 255.255.255.192
From there, Steps 3 and 4 ask for the following pieces of information:

Interesting octet: 4th

Magic number: 256 – 192 = 64
From there, Table D-90 shows the rest of the steps for the process.

Table D-90 Question 11 Answer: Network 192.168.15.0, Mask 255.255.255.192

Step Octet #1 Octet #2 Octet #3 Octet #4

1) Network number 192 168 15 0

2) Zero subnet 192 168 15 0

5) Next subnet 192 168 15 64

5) Next subnet 192 168 15 128

6) Broadcast subnet 192 168 15 192

7) Invalid subnet* 192 168 15 256

*The invalid subnet row is just a reminder used by this process as to when to stop.

Note that the subnet numbers’ interesting octet (fourth octet in this case) simply increments by the
magic number.

Question 12: Answer

This question begins with the following basic facts:

Network 192.168.15.0
Mask 255.255.255.224
From there, Steps 3 and 4 ask for the following pieces of information:

Interesting octet: 4th

Magic number: 256 – 224 = 32
9803xd.fm Page 60 Wednesday, October 28, 2009 9:35 AM

IP Addressing Practice 60

From there, Table D-91 shows the rest of the steps for the process.

Table D-91 Question 11 Answer: Network 192.168.15.0, Mask 255.255.255.224

Step Octet #1 Octet #2 Octet #3 Octet #4

1) Network number 192 168 15 0

2) Zero subnet 192 168 15 0

5) Next subnet 192 168 15 32

5) Next subnet 192 168 15 64

5) Next subnet 192 168 15 96

5) Generic view 192 168 15 X

6) Broadcast subnet 192 168 15 224

7) Invalid subnet* 192 168 15 256

*The invalid subnet row is just a reminder used by this process as to when to stop.

Note that the subnet numbers’ interesting octet (fourth octet in this case) simply increments by the
magic number. To reduce the space required by the table, the table represents the remaining subnet
numbers before the broadcast subnet as a generic value, 192.168.15.x. The subnets not specifically
listed simply have a multiple of 32 in the fourth octet.

Question 13: Answer

This question begins with the following basic facts:

Network 192.168.15.0
Mask 255.255.255.240
From there, Steps 3 and 4 ask for the following pieces of information:

Interesting octet: 4th

Magic number: 256 – 240 = 16
From there, Table D-92 shows the rest of the steps for the process.
9803xd.fm Page 61 Wednesday, October 28, 2009 9:35 AM

61 CCIE Routing and Switching Exam Certification Guide

Table D-92 Question 13 Answer: Network 192.168.15.0, Mask 255.255.255.240

Step Octet #1 Octet #2 Octet #3 Octet #4

1) Network number 192 168 15 0

2) Zero subnet 192 168 15 0

5) Next subnet 192 168 15 16

5) Next subnet 192 168 15 32

5) Next subnet 192 168 15 48

5) Generic view 192 168 15 X

6) Broadcast subnet 192 168 15 240

7) Invalid subnet* 192 168 15 256

*The invalid subnet row is just a reminder used by this process as to when to stop.

Note that the subnet numbers’ interesting octet (fourth octet in this case) simply increments by the
magic number. To reduce the space required by the table, the table represents the remaining subnet
numbers before the broadcast subnet as a generic value, 192.168.15.x. The subnets not specifically
listed simply have a multiple of 16 in the fourth octet.

Discovering the Smallest Inclusive Summary

Route: 10 Questions
The last two major sections of this appendix provide practice questions to find the best inclusive
and exclusive summary routes, respectively. For the following ten lists of subnets, discover the
subnet/mask or prefix/length for the smallest possible inclusive summary route:

1. 10.20.30.0/24, 10.20.40.0/24, 10.20.35.0/24, 10.20.45.0/24

2. 10.20.7.0/24, 10.20.4.0/24, 10.20.5.0/24, 10.20.6.0/24
3. 10.20.3.0/24, 10.20.4.0/24, 10.20.5.0/24, 10.20.6.0/24, 10.20.7.0/24, 10.20.8.0/24
4. 172.16.200.0/23, 172.16.204.0/23, 172.16.208.0/23
5. 172.16.200.0/23, 172.16.204.0/23, 172.16.208.0/23, 172.16.202.0/23, 172.16.206.0/23
6. 172.16.120.0/22, 172.16.112.0/22, 172.16.124.0/22, 172.16.116.0/22
7. 192.168.1.16/29, 192.168.1.32/29, 192.168.1.24/29
9803xd.fm Page 62 Wednesday, October 28, 2009 9:35 AM

IP Addressing Practice 62

8. 192.168.1.16/29, 192.168.1.32/29
9. 10.1.80.0/25, 10.1.81.0/25, 10.1.81.128/25
10. 10.1.80.0/26, 10.1.81.0/26, 10.1.81.128/26
The following steps are a repeat of the algorithm found in Chapter 4. Chapter 4 only explained
details assuming consecutive subnets and SLSM, but the algorithm works fine with SLSM or
VLSM, and with nonconsecutive subnets. However, nonconsecutive subnets typically require
more passes through the algorithm logic. If VLSM is used, at Step 2, you subtract y from the
longest prefix length to start the process, again requiring many more steps through the process.

Step 1 Count the number of subnets; then, find the smallest value of y, such that
2y => that number of subnets.
Step 2 For the next step, use a prefix length of the prefix length for each of the
component subnets, minus y.
Step 3 Pretend that the lowest subnet number in the list of component subnets is
an IP address. Using the new, smaller prefix from Step 2, calculate the
subnet number in which this pretend address resides.
Step 4 Repeat Step 3 for the largest numeric component subnet number and the
same prefix. If it is the same subnet derived as in Step 3, the resulting subnet
is the best summarized route, using the new prefix.
Step 5 If Steps 3 and 4 do not yield the same resulting subnet, repeat Steps 3 and 4,
with another new prefix length of 1 less than the last prefix length.

Question 1: Answer
This question begins with the following routes that need to be summarized:

10.20.30.0/24
10.20.35.0/24
10.20.40.0/24
10.20.45.0/24
The first two steps are as follows:

1) Y = 2, because there are 4 component routes, and 22 => 4

2) Start with a prefix length of 24 – 2 = 22
From there, Table D-93 shows the iterations through Steps 3 and 4, using progressively shorter
prefix lengths, until the two steps match.
9803xd.fm Page 63 Wednesday, October 28, 2009 9:35 AM

63 CCIE Routing and Switching Exam Certification Guide

Table D-93 Question 1 Answer: Inclusive Summary of 4 Routes

Prefix
Length Step 3 (Lowest Component Subnet) Step 4 (Highest Component Subnet)

22 10.20.30.0/22 yields a subnet of 10.20.28.0/22 10.20.45.0/22 yields a subnet of 10.20.44.0/22

21 10.20.30.0/21 yields a subnet of 10.20.24.0/21 10.20.45.0/21 yields a subnet of 10.20.40.0/21

20 10.20.30.0/20 yields a subnet of 10.20.16.0/20 10.20.45.0/20 yields a subnet of 10.20.32.0/20

19 10.20.30.0/19 yields a subnet of 10.20.0.0/19 10.20.45.0/19 yields a subnet of 10.20.32.0/19

18 10.20.30.0/18 yields a subnet of 10.20.0.0/18 10.20.45.0/18 yields a subnet of 10.20.0.0/18

This question requires that you iterate through several progressively shorter prefix lengths until
you find the correct answer. Finally, the process shows that 10.20.0.0/18 would be the smallest
inclusive summary. For questions in which the component subnets are not consecutive, as was the
case in this question, you might try to guess a better starting point for the prefix length (a few bits
shorter) rather than starting with Steps 1 and 2 of the stated process. Regardless, the process will
give you the right answer.

Question 2: Answer
This question begins with the following routes that need to be summarized:

10.20.4.0/24
10.20.5.0/24
10.20.6.0/24
10.20.7.0/24
The first two steps are as follows:

1) Y = 2, because there are 4 component routes, and 22 => 4

2) Start with a prefix length of 24 – 2 = 22
From there, Table D-94 shows the iterations through Steps 3 and 4. Remember, you do the math
using the original smallest and largest component subnets as if they were IP addresses, using
progressively shorter prefix lengths, until the results are the same. If the results are the same, then
you have found the smallest inclusive summary.

Table D-94 Question 2 Answer: Inclusive Summary of 4 Routes

Prefix
Length Step 3 (Lowest Component Subnet) Step 4 (Highest Component Subnet)

22 10.20.4.0/22 yields a subnet of 10.20.4.0/22 10.20.7.0/22 yields a subnet of 10.20.4.0/22

9803xd.fm Page 64 Wednesday, October 28, 2009 9:35 AM

IP Addressing Practice 64

Question 3: Answer
This question begins with the following routes that need to be summarized:

10.20.3.0/24
10.20.4.0/24
10.20.5.0/24
10.20.6.0/24
10.20.7.0/24
10.20.8.0/24
The first two steps are as follows:

1) Y = 3, because there are 6 component routes, and 23 => 6

2) Start with a prefix length of 24 – 3 = 21
From there, Table D-95 shows the iterations through Steps 3 and 4, using progressively shorter
prefix lengths, until the right answer is found.

Table D-95 Question 3 Answer: Inclusive Summary of 6 Routes

Prefix
Length Step 3 (Lowest Component Subnet) Step 4 (Highest Component Subnet)

21 10.20.3.0/21 yields a subnet of 10.20.0.0/21 10.20.8.0/21 yields a subnet of 10.20.8.0/21

20 10.20.3.0/20 yields a subnet of 10.20.0.0/20 10.20.8.0/20 yields a subnet of 10.20.0.0/20

After two passes through Steps 3 and 4, the results are equal, implying that 10.20.0.0/20 is the
smallest inclusive summary.

Question 4: Answer
This question begins with the following routes that need to be summarized:

172.16.200.0/23
172.16.204.0/23
172.16.208.0/23
Note that the subnets are not consecutive in this case, but the algorithm still works. The first two
steps are as follows:

1) Y = 2, because there are 3 component routes, and 22 => 3

2) Start with a prefix length of 23 – 2 = 21
From there, Table D-96 shows the iterations through Steps 3 and 4, using progressively shorter
prefix lengths, until the right answer is found.
9803xd.fm Page 65 Wednesday, October 28, 2009 9:35 AM

65 CCIE Routing and Switching Exam Certification Guide

Table D-96 Question 4 Answer: Inclusive Summary of 3 Routes

Prefix Step 3 (Lowest Component Step 4 (Highest Component

Length Subnet) Subnet)

21 172.16.200.0/21 yields a subnet of 172.16.208.0/21 yields a subnet of

172.16.200.0/21 172.16.208.0/21

20 172.16.200.0/20 yields a subnet of 172.16.208.0/20 yields a subnet of

172.16.192.0/20 172.16.208.0/20

19 172.16.200.0/19 yields a subnet of 172.16.208.0/19 yields a subnet of

172.16.192.0/19 172.16.192.0/19

After three passes through Steps 3 and 4, the results are equal, implying that 172.16.192.0/19 is
the smallest inclusive summary.

Question 5: Answer
This question begins with the following routes that need to be summarized:

172.16.200.0/23
172.16.202.0/23
172.16.204.0/23
172.16.206.0/23
172.16.208.0/23
The first two steps are as follows:

1) Y = 3, because there are 5 component routes, and 23 => 5

2) Start with a prefix length of 23 – 3 = 20
From there, Table D-97 shows the iterations through Steps 3 and 4, using progressively shorter
prefix lengths, until the right answer is found.

Table D-97 Question 5 Answer: Inclusive Summary of 5 Routes

Prefix Step 4 (Highest Component

Length Step 3 (Lowest Component Subnet) Subnet)

20 172.16.200.0/20 yields a subnet of 172.16.208.0/20 yields a subnet of

172.16.192.0/20 172.16.208.0/20

19 172.16.200.0/19 yields a subnet of 172.16.208.0/19 yields a subnet of

172.16.192.0/19 172.16.192.0/19
9803xd.fm Page 66 Wednesday, October 28, 2009 9:35 AM

IP Addressing Practice 66

After two passes through Steps 3 and 4, the results are equal, implying that 172.16.192.0/19 is the
smallest inclusive summary.

Question 6: Answer
This question begins with the following routes that need to be summarized:

172.16.112.0/22
172.16.116.0/22
172.16.120.0/22
172.16.124.0/22
The first two steps are as follows:

1) Y = 2, because there are 4 component routes, and 22 => 4

2) Start with a prefix length of 22 – 2 = 20
From there, Table D-98 shows the iterations through Steps 3 and 4, using progressively shorter
prefix lengths, until the right answer is found.

Table D-98 Question 6 Answer: Inclusive Summary of 4 Routes

Prefix
Length Step 3 (Lowest Component Subnet) Step 4 (Highest Component Subnet)

20 172.16.112.0/20 yields a subnet of 172.16.124.0/20 yields a subnet of

172.16.112.0/20 172.16.112.0/20

Question 7: Answer
This question begins with the following routes that need to be summarized:

192.168.1.16/29
192.168.1.24/29
192.168.1.32/29
The first two steps are as follows:

1) Y = 2, because there are 3 component routes, and 22 => 3

2) Start with a prefix length of 29 – 2 = 27
From there, Table D-99 shows the iterations through Steps 3 and 4, using progressively shorter
prefix lengths, until the right answer is found.
9803xd.fm Page 67 Wednesday, October 28, 2009 9:35 AM

67 CCIE Routing and Switching Exam Certification Guide

Table D-99 Question 7 Answer: Inclusive Summary of 3 Routes

Prefix Step 3 (Lowest Component Step 4 (Highest Component

Length Subnet) Subnet)

27 192.168.1.16/27 yields a subnet of 192.168.1.32/27 yields a subnet of

192.168.1.0/27 192.168.1.32/27

26 192.168.1.16/26 yields a subnet of 192.168.1.32/26 yields a subnet of

192.168.1.0/26 192.168.1.0/26

Question 8: Answer
This question begins with the following routes that need to be summarized:

192.168.1.16/28
192.168.1.32/28
The first two steps are as follows:

1) Y = 1, because there are 2 component routes, and 21 => 2

2) Start with a prefix length of 28 – 1 = 27
From there, Table D-100 shows the iterations through Steps 3 and 4, using progressively shorter
prefix lengths, until the right answer is found.

Table D-100 Question 8 Answer: Inclusive Summary of 2 Routes

Prefix Step 4 (Highest Component

Length Step 3 (Lowest Component Subnet) Subnet)

27 192.168.1.16/27 yields a subnet of 192.168.1.32/27 yields a subnet of

192.168.1.0/27 192.168.1.32/27

26 192.168.1.16/26 yields a subnet of 192.168.1.32/26 yields a subnet of

192.168.1.0/26 192.168.1.0/26

Question 9: Answer
This question begins with the following routes that need to be summarized:

10.1.80.0/25
10.1.81.0/25
10.1.81.128/25
The first two steps are as follows:

1) Y = 2, because there are 3 component routes, and 22 => 3

2) Start with a prefix length of 25 – 2 = 23
9803xd.fm Page 68 Wednesday, October 28, 2009 9:35 AM

IP Addressing Practice 68

From there, Table D-101 shows the iterations through Steps 3 and 4, using progressively shorter
prefix lengths, until the right answer is found.

Table D-101 Question 9 Answer: Inclusive Summary of 3 Routes

Step 3 (Lowest Component Step 4 (Highest Component

Prefix Length Subnet) Subnet)

23 10.1.80.0/23 yields a subnet of 10.1.81.128/23 yields a subnet of

10.1.80.0/23 10.1.80.0/23

Question 10: Answer

This question begins with the following routes that need to be summarized:

10.1.80.0/26
10.1.81.0/26
10.1.81.128/26
The first two steps are as follows:

1) Y = 2, because there are 3 component routes, and 22 => 3

2) Start with a prefix length of 26 – 2 = 24
From there, Table D-102 shows the iterations through Steps 3 and 4, using progressively shorter
prefix lengths, until the right answer is found.

Table D-102 Question 10 Answer: Inclusive Summary of 3 Routes

Prefix
Length Step 3 (Lowest Component Subnet) Step 4 (Highest Component Subnet)

24 10.1.80.0/24 yields a subnet of 10.1.80.0/24 10.1.81.128/24 yields a subnet of 10.1.81.0/24

23 10.1.80.0/23 yields a subnet of 10.1.80.0/23 10.1.81.128/23 yields a subnet of 10.1.80.0/23

Discovering the Smallest Exclusive Summary

Routes: 5 Questions
The last section of this appendix provides practice problems and answers for finding exclusive
summaries. Per Chapter 4’s conventions, an exclusive summary may include multiple prefixes/
subnets, but it may only include address ranges inside the original component prefixes/subnets.
9803xd.fm Page 69 Wednesday, October 28, 2009 9:35 AM

69 CCIE Routing and Switching Exam Certification Guide

For the following five lists of subnets, discover the set of exclusive summary routes:

1. 10.20.7.0/24, 10.20.4.0/24, 10.20.5.0/24, 10.20.6.0/24

2. 10.20.3.0/24, 10.20.4.0/24, 10.20.5.0/24, 10.20.6.0/24, 10.20.7.0/24, 10.20.8.0/24
3. 172.16.200.0/23, 172.16.204.0/23, 172.16.208.0/23, 172.16.202.0/23, 172.16.206.0/23
4. 172.16.120.0/22, 172.16.112.0/22, 172.16.124.0/22, 172.16.116.0/22
5. 192.168.1.16/29, 192.168.1.32/29, 192.168.1.24/29
The following steps are a repeat of the decimal algorithm for finding exclusive summaries found
in Chapter 4. Remember, the process assumes that all the component subnets have the same mask/
prefix length.

Step 1 Find the best inclusive summary route; call it a candidate exclusive
summary route.
Step 2 Determine if the candidate summary includes any address ranges it should
not. To do so, compare the summary’s implied address range with the
implied address ranges of the component subnets.
Step 3 If the candidate summary only includes addresses in the ranges implied by
the component subnets, the candidate summary is part of the best exclusive
summarization of the original component subnets.
Step 4 If instead the candidate summary includes some addresses matching the
candidate summary routes, and some addresses that do not match, split the
current candidate summary in half, into two new candidate summary
routes, each with a prefix 1 longer than before.
Step 5 If the candidate summary only includes addresses outside the ranges
implied by the component subnets, the candidate summary is not part of the
best exclusive summarization, and it should not be split further.
Step 6 Repeat Steps 2–4 for each of the two possible candidate summary routes
created at Step 4.

Question 1: Answer
This question begins with the following routes that need to be summarized:

10.20.4.0/24, range 10.20.4.0–10.20.4.255

10.20.5.0/24, range 10.20.5.0–10.20.5.255
10.20.6.0/24, range 10.20.6.0–10.20.6.255
10.20.7.0/24, range 10.20.7.0–10.20.7.255
9803xd.fm Page 70 Wednesday, October 28, 2009 9:35 AM

IP Addressing Practice 70

The inclusive summary for these routes is

10.20.4.0/22
Table D-103 shows what turns out to be a single pass through the algorithm, because the inclusive
summary and exclusive summary are the same for this problem.

Table D-103 Question 1 Answer: Exclusive Summary of 4 Routes

Candidate Exclusive Range of

Split Summary Addresses Analysis

Inclusive 10.20.4.0/22 10.20.4.0–10.20.7.255 Part of exclusive summary

summary

Comparing the range of IP addresses in the problem statement with the range of addresses implied
by the original inclusive summary, you can see that it is the exact same set of addresses. As a result,
10.20.4.0/22 is part of the exclusive summary—in fact, no other summary routes are required.

Question 2: Answer
This question begins with the following routes that need to be summarized:

10.20.3.0/24, range 10.20.3.0–10.20.3.255

10.20.4.0/24, range 10.20.4.0–10.20.4.255
10.20.5.0/24, range 10.20.5.0–10.20.5.255
10.20.6.0/24, range 10.20.6.0–10.20.6.255
10.20.7.0/24, range 10.20.7.0–10.20.7.255
10.20.8.0/24, range 10.20.8.0–10.20.8.255
The inclusive summary for these routes is

10.20.0.0/20
Table D-104 begins by showing three passes through the algorithm. These three passes do not determine
all the exclusive summary routes in the answer; Tables D-105 and D-106 complete the answer.

Before examining Table D-104, first consider the overall flow of the repeated iterations through
the table. Think of the original inclusive summary route as one large group of addresses. If it is
not also the exclusive summary, you iterate through the algorithm again, halving the original
inclusive summary. If that does not produce an answer, you halve each of the halves for the next
iteration through the algorithm. So, you can think of the second splitting of the candidate
summaries as breaking them into quarters. Another pass would break the original inclusive
summary into eighths, and so on. The table’s first column denotes what each row means based on
whether it is for the original inclusive summary, the first split (into halves), the second split (into
quarters), and so on.
9803xd.fm Page 71 Wednesday, October 28, 2009 9:35 AM

71 CCIE Routing and Switching Exam Certification Guide

Table D-104 Question 2 Answer: Inclusive Summary of 6 Routes, Part 1

Candidate Exclusive
Split Summary Range Analysis

Inclusive 10.20.0.0/20 10.20.0.0– Includes too many addresses

summary 10.20.15.255

1st split, 10.20.0.0/21 10.20.0.0–10.20.7.255 Includes 10.20.0.0–10.20.2.255, which

lower half should not be included

1st split, 10.20.8.0/21 10.20.8.0– Includes 10.20.9.0–10.20.15.255, which

higher half 10.20.15.255 should not be included

2nd split, 10.20.0.0/22 10.20.0.0–10.20.3.255 Includes 10.20.0.0–10.20.2.255, which

lowest should not be included
quarter

2nd split, 2nd 10.20.4.0/22 10.20.4.0–10.20.7.255 Includes only 10.20.4.0–10.20.7.255; it is

quarter part of exclusive summary

2nd split, 3rd 10.20.8.0/22 10.20.8.0– Includes 10.20.9.0–10.20.11.255, which

quarter 10.20.11.255 should not be included

2nd split, 10.20.12.0/22 10.20.12.0– Includes 10.20.12.0–10.20.15.255, totally

highest 10.20.15.255 outside the range—don’t split again
quarter

The last four rows of the table show the results of the second split (per Step 4 in the algorithm).
Two of these four candidate exclusive summaries need to be split again (10.20.0.0/22 and
10.20.8.0/22) because they contain some addresses within the original ranges, but some outside
the range. One summary (10.20.4.0/22) holds only addresses inside the original ranges, so that
route is one of the routes comprising the exclusive summary. Finally, one candidate route
(10.20.12.0/22) contains only addresses outside the original range; as a result, you can stop
splitting that range when looking for the exclusive summaries.

Tables D-105 and D-106 complete the official algorithm, but through some basic inspection, you
might be able to (rightfully) guess that no additional summary routes will be found. Consider the
original routes, and whether the process has found a summary route to include the addresses yet:

10.20.3.0/24—still looking for summary

10.20.4.0/24—found summary
10.20.5.0/24—found summary
10.20.6.0/24—found summary
10.20.7.0/24—found summary
10.20.8.0/24—still looking for summary
9803xd.fm Page 72 Wednesday, October 28, 2009 9:35 AM

IP Addressing Practice 72

Thinking about the problem from this point forward, the remaining component subnets—
10.20.3.0/24 and 10.20.8.0/24—are separated by the previously discovered 10.20.4.0/22
summary. There is only one original route on each side of that summary. So, there is no possibility
of summarizing those two individual routes.

The algorithm will reach that same conclusion, as shown in the next two tables. The third split
is in Table D-105 (Table D-104 showed up through the second split), and the fourth split is in
Table D-106. Keep in mind that, per Table D-104, only two prefixes need splitting for the next step
in the process—10.20.0.0/22 and 10.20.8.0/22. The “Split” column in the table lists the halves of
these two prefixes.

Table D-105 Question 2 Answer, 3rd Split

Candidate
Exclusive
Split Summary Range Analysis

Lower half of 10.20.0.0/23 10.20.0.0–10.20.1.255 Holds none of the original addresses—don’t

10.20.0.0/22 split again

Higher half of 10.20.2.0/23 10.20.2.0–10.20.3.255 Includes too many addresses—split again

10.20.0.0/22

Lower half of 10.20.8.0/23 10.20.8.0–10.20.9.255 Includes too many addresses—split again

10.20.8.0/22

Higher half of 10.20.10.0/23 10.20.10.0– Holds none of the original addresses—don’t

10.20.8.0/22 10.20.11.255 split again

(Note: Per Table D-105, only 10.20.2.0/23 and 10.20.8.0/23 need splitting; their halves are noted
in the first column.)

Table D-106 Question 2 Answer: 4th Split

Candidate Exclusive
Split Summary Range Analysis

Lower half of 10.20.2.0/24 10.20.2.0–10.20.2.255 Holds none of the original

10.20.2.0/23 addresses—don’t split again

Higher half of 10.20.3.0/24 10.20.3.0–10.20.3.255 Part of exclusive summary

10.20.2.0/23

Lower half of 10.20.8.0/24 10.20.8.0–10.20.8.255 Part of exclusive summary

10.20.8.0/23

Higher half of 10.20.9.0/23 10.20.9.0–10.20.9.255 Holds none of the original

10.20.8.0/23 addresses—don’t split again
9803xd.fm Page 73 Wednesday, October 28, 2009 9:35 AM

73 CCIE Routing and Switching Exam Certification Guide

The other two components of the set of exclusive summary routes are finally found in Table D-
106. As a result, looking at all three tables, the answer for this question is as follows:

10.20.3.0/24
10.20.4.0/22
10.20.8.0/24

Question 3: Answer
This question begins with the following routes that need to be summarized:

172.16.200.0/23, range 172.16.200.0–172.16.201.255

172.16.202.0/23, range 172.16.202.0–172.16.203.255
172.16.204.0/23, range 172.16.204.0–172.16.205.255
172.16.206.0/23, range 172.16.206.0–172.16.207.255
172.16.208.0/23, range 172.16.208.0–172.16.209.255
The inclusive summary for these routes is

172.16.192.0/19
Table D-107 begins by showing three passes through the algorithm. These three passes do not
determine all the summary routes in the answer.

Table D-107 Question 3 Answer: Inclusive Summary of 5 Routes

Candidate
Exclusive
Split Summary Range Analysis

Inclusive 172.16.192.0/19 172.16.192.0– Includes too many addresses

summary 172.16.223.255

1st split, 172.16.192.0/20 172.16.192.0– Includes 172.16.192.0–

lower half 172.16.207.255 172.16.199.255, which should not be
included

1st split, 172.16.208.0/20 172.16.208.0– Includes 172.16.210.0–

higher half 172.16.223.255 172.16.223.255, which should not be
included

2nd split, 172.16.192.0/21 172.16.192.0– Includes only address totally outside

lowest 172.16.199.255 the range—don’t split again
quarter

2nd split, 2nd 172.16.200.0/21 172.16.200.0– Includes only address in the range—
quarter 172.16.207.255 it’s part of exclusive summary
9803xd.fm Page 74 Wednesday, October 28, 2009 9:35 AM

IP Addressing Practice 74

Table D-107 Question 3 Answer: Inclusive Summary of 5 Routes (Continued)

Candidate
Exclusive
Split Summary Range Analysis

2nd split, 3rd 172.16.208.0/21 172.16.208.0– Includes some addresses that should
quarter 172.16.215.255 not be included

2nd split, 172.16.216.0/21 172.16.216.0– Includes only address totally outside

highest 172.16.223.255 the range—don’t split again
quarter

The last four rows of the table show the results of the second split (per Step 4 in the algorithm).
Two of these four candidate exclusive summaries (172.16.192.0/21 and 172.16.216.0/21) only
contain addresses outside the range that needs to be summarized, so these do not need to be split
further. 172.16.200.0/21 is part of the exclusive summary, so it does not need to be split again.
Only 172.16.208.0/21 needs further splitting at this point.

Under closer examination, at this point in the process, no further work is actually needed. Only
one original component subnet has not had its address range summarized. For reference, the
following list describes which ranges are part of the one exclusive summary route that has already
been uncovered (172.16.200.0/21), and those that are not inside that summary route:

172.16.200.0/24—part of summary 172.16.200.0/21

172.16.202.0/24—part of summary 172.16.200.0/21
172.16.204.0/24—part of summary 172.16.200.0/21
172.16.206.0/24—part of summary 172.16.200.0/21
172.16.208.0/24—still looking for summary
Because only one component subnet still needs to be summarized, there is no possibility that a
larger exclusive summary route will be found, because there are no other component subnets to
combine with 172.16.208.0/24. As a result, the final answer for this problem (the exclusive
summary routes for the component subnets) is as follows:

172.16.200.0/21
172.16.208.0/24

Question 4: Answer
This question begins with the following routes that need to be summarized:

172.16.112.0/22, range 172.16.112.0–172.16.115.255

172.16.116.0/22, range 172.16.116.0–172.16.119.255
172.16.120.0/22, range 172.16.120.0–172.16.123.255
172.16.124.0/22, range 172.16.124.0–172.16.127.255
9803xd.fm Page 75 Wednesday, October 28, 2009 9:35 AM

75 CCIE Routing and Switching Exam Certification Guide

The inclusive summary for these routes is

172.16.112.0/20, range 172.16.112.0–172.16.127.255

By simply inspecting the inclusive summary, you can see that it exactly matches the collective
ranges of IP addresses in the four component subnets. So, the exclusive summary for these four
subnets is also 172.16.112.0/20.

Question 5: Answer
This question begins with the following routes that need to be summarized:

192.168.1.16/29, range 192.168.1.16–192.168.1.23

192.168.1.24/29, range 192.168.1.24–192.168.1.31
192.168.1.32/29, range 192.168.1.32–192.168.1.39
The inclusive summary for these routes is

192.168.1.0/26
Table D-108 begins by showing three passes through the algorithm. These three passes do not
determine all the summary routes in the answer.
Table D-108 Question 2 Answer: Inclusive Summary of 3 Routes

Candidate Exclusive
Split Summary Range Analysis

Inclusive 192.168.1.0/26 192.168.1.0–192.168.1.63 Includes too many addresses

summary

1st split, lower 192.168.1.0/27 192.168.1.0–192.168.1.31 Includes too many addresses—

half split again

1st split, 192.168.1.32/27 192.168.1.32–192.168.1.63 Includes too many addresses—

higher half split again

2nd split, 192.168.1.0/28 192.168.1.0–192.168.1.15 Includes only address totally

lowest quarter outside the range—don’t split
again

2nd split, 192.168.1.16/28 192.168.1.16–192.168.1.31 Includes only address in the

2nd quarter range—it’s part of exclusive
summary

2nd split, 192.168.1.32/28 192.168.1.32–192.168.1.47 Includes some addresses that

3rd quarter should not be included

2nd split, 192.168.1.48/28 192.168.1.48–192.168.1.63 Includes only address totally

highest outside the range—don’t split
quarter again
9803xd.fm Page 76 Wednesday, October 28, 2009 9:35 AM

IP Addressing Practice 76

The last four rows of the table show the results of the second split (per Step 4 in the algorithm).
Two of these four candidate exclusive summaries (192.168.1.0/28 and 192.168.1.48/28) only
contain addresses outside the range that needs to be summarized, so these do not need to be split
further. 192.168.1.16/28 is part of the exclusive summary, so it does not need to be split again.
Only 192.168.32.0/28 needs further splitting at this point.

Under closer examination, at this point in the process, no further work is actually needed. Only
one original component subnet has not had its address range summarized. For reference, the
following list describes which ranges are part of the one exclusive summary route that has already
been uncovered (192.168.1.16/28), and those that are not inside that summary route:

192.168.1.16/29—part of summary 192.168.1.16/28

192.168.1.24/29—part of summary 192.168.1.16/28
192.168.1.16/29—still looking for summary
Because only one component subnet still needs to be summarized, there is no possibility that a
larger exclusive summary route will be found. As a result, the final answer for this problem (the
exclusive summary routes for the component subnets) is as follows:

192.168.1.16/28
192.168.1.32/29