Scribd
Upload
8 views3 pages

Classless Inter

Classless Inter-Domain Routing (CIDR) is a method for IP address allocation and routing that enhances efficiency by using network prefixes instead of traditional class-based systems. Introduced in 1993, CIDR allows for flexible allocation of IP addresses and better routing, addressing the rapid exhaustion of IPv4 addresses. While it offers advantages like efficient use of addresses and reduced administrative overhead, CIDR also presents challenges such as complexity and compatibility issues with older devices.

Uploaded by

swapna
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
Available Formats
Download as DOCX, PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
8 views3 pages

Classless Inter

Classless Inter-Domain Routing (CIDR) is a method for IP address allocation and routing that enhances efficiency by using network prefixes instead of traditional class-based systems. Introduced in 1993, CIDR allows for flexible allocation of IP addresses and better routing, addressing the rapid exhaustion of IPv4 addresses. While it offers advantages like efficient use of addresses and reduced administrative overhead, CIDR also presents challenges such as complexity and compatibility issues with older devices.

Uploaded by

swapna
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
Available Formats
Download as DOCX, PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
You are on page 1/ 3

Classless Inter-Domain Routing (CIDR) is a method of IP address allocation and IP routing that allows for

more efficient use of IP addresses. CIDR is based on the idea that IP addresses can be allocated and routed based
on their network prefix rather than their class, which was the traditional way of IP address allocation.
CIDR addresses are represented using a slash notation, which specifies the number of bits in the network prefix.
For example, an IP address of 192.168.1.0 with a prefix length of 24 would be represented as 192.168.1.0/24.
This notation indicates that the first 24 bits of the IP address are the network prefix and the remaining 8 bits are
the host identifier.

CIDR (Classless Inter-Domain Routing or supernetting) is a method of assigning IP addresses that improves the

efficiency of address distribution and replaces the previous system based on Class A, Class B and Class C networks.

The initial goal of CIDR was to slow the increase of routing tables on routers across the internet and decrease the

rapid exhaustion of IPv4 addresses. As a result, the number of available internet addresses has greatly increased.

The original classful network design of the internet included inefficiencies that drained the pool of unassigned IPv4

addresses faster than necessary. The classful design included the following:

 Class A, with over 16 million identifiers

 Class B, with 65,535 identifiers

 Class C, with 254 host identifiers

If an organization needed more than 254 host machines, it would be switched into Class B. However, this could

potentially waste over 60,000 hosts if the business didn't need to use them, thus unnecessarily decreasing the

availability of IPv4 addresses. The Internet Engineering Task Force introduced CIDR in 1993 to fix this problem.

CIDR is based on variable-length subnet masking (VLSM), which enables network engineers to divide an IP

address space into a hierarchy of subnets of different sizes. This makes it possible to create subnetworks with

different host counts without wasting large numbers of addresses.

CIDR addresses are made up of two sets of numbers:

1. Prefix. The prefix is the binary representation of the network address -- similar to what would be seen in a

normal IP address.
2. Suffix. The suffix declares the total number of bits in the entire address.

For example, CIDR notation might look like: 192.168.129.23/17 -- with 17 being the number of bits in the address.

IPv4 addresses support a maximum of 32 bits.

The same CIDR notation can be applied to IPv6 addresses. The only difference is IPv6 addresses can contain up to

128 bits.

CIDR blocks

CIDR blocks are groups of addresses that share the same prefix and contain the same number of bits. Supernetting is

the combination of multiple connecting CIDR blocks into a larger whole, all of which share a common network

prefix.

The length of a prefix determines the size of CIDR blocks. A short prefix supports more addresses -- and, therefore,

forms a bigger block -- while a longer prefix indicates fewer addresses and a smaller block.

The Internet Assigned Numbers Authority (IANA) initially handles CIDR blocks. IANA is responsible for

distributing large blocks of IP addresses to Regional Internet Registries (RIRs).


CIDR has several advantages over the traditional class-based addressing system, including:
1. Efficient use of IP addresses: CIDR allows for more efficient use of IP addresses by allowing the allocation
of IP addresses based on their network prefix rather than their class.
2. Flexibility: CIDR allows for more flexible IP address allocation, as it allows for the allocation of arbitrary-
sized blocks of IP addresses.
Better routing: CIDR allows for better routing of IP traffic, as it allows routers to aggregate IP addresses
based on their network prefix, reducing the size of routing tables.
3. b: CIDR reduces administrative overhead by allowing for the allocation and routing of IP addresses in a more
efficient and flexible way.
4. In summary, CIDR is a method of IP address allocation and routing that allows for more efficient use of IP
addresses and better routing of IP traffic. It has several advantages over the traditional class-based addressing
system, including greater flexibility, better routing, and reduced administrative overhead.
As with any technology or system, there are advantages and disadvantages of using CIDR:
Advantages:
1. Efficient use of IP addresses: CIDR allows for more efficient use of IP addresses, which is important as the
pool of available IPv4 addresses continues to shrink.
2. Flexibility: CIDR allows for more flexible allocation of IP addresses, which can be important for
organizations with complex network requirements.
3. Better routing: CIDR allows for more efficient routing of IP traffic, which can lead to better network
performance.
Reduced administrative overhead: CIDR reduces administrative overhead by allowing for easier management
of IP addresses and routing.
Disadvantages:
1. Complexity: CIDR can be more complex to implement and manage than traditional class-based addressing,
which can require additional training and expertise.
2. Compatibility issues: Some older network devices may not be compatible with CIDR, which can make it
difficult to transition to a CIDR-based network.
3. Security concerns: CIDR can make it more difficult to implement security measures such as firewall rules
and access control lists, which can increase security risks.
4. Overall, CIDR is a useful and efficient method of IP address allocation and routing, but it may not be suitable
for all organizations or networks. It is important to weigh the advantages and disadvantages of CIDR and
consider the specific needs and requirements of your network before implementing CIDR.technique to
provide IP addresses. Whenever any user asks for IP addresses, IANA is going to assign that many IP
addresses to the User.

You might also like