Experiment No: 6
Configuration of Classful Addressing using Cisco Packet Tracer
Name : Janardhanan V
Reg. No : 22BLC1032
Faculty Name : Dr.M.Saranya Nair
Aim:
a. Understanding the concepts of IPv4 Classful Addressing.
b. Configuration of Classful Addressing Blocks and Analyze the Communication Behavior
using Cisco Packet Tracer.
Tool/OS Required:
Cisco Packet Tracer – Windows OS
Theory of IPv4 Classful Addressing:
IPv4 classful addressing is a method of assigning IP addresses in the Internet Protocol
version 4 (IPv4) addressing scheme. This architecture divides the entire IPv4 address
space into five distinct classes (A, B, C, D, and E), each designed to accommodate
different types of networks based on their size and requirements. Classful addressing
was prevalent before the introduction of classless addressing (CIDR) and played a
significant role in the early development of the Internet.
Structure of IPv4 Addresses
An IPv4 address is a 32-bit number typically represented in decimal format as four
octets separated by periods (e.g., 192.168.1.1). Each octet can range from 0 to 255,
allowing for over 4 billion unique addresses. The first part of the address identifies
the network, while the latter part identifies the host within that network.
Classes of IPv4 Addresses
1. Class A
• Range: 0.0.0.0 to 127.255.255.255
• Leading Bits: Starts with 0
• Network/Host Division: 8 bits for network, 24 bits for hosts
• Number of Networks: 128 (0-127), usable networks are limited to 126 due
to reserved addresses (0.x.x.x for the default route and 127.x.x.x for
loopback). • Hosts per Network: Approximately 16 million (2^24 - 2,
subtracting two addresses for network and broadcast).
• Usage: Designed for very large networks (e.g., multinational corporations).
COMPUTER NETWORKS FALL 2024-25 DR.SARANYA NAIR M
2. Class B
• Range: 128.0.0.0 to 191.255.255.255
• Leading Bits: Starts with 10
• Network/Host Division: 16 bits for network, 16 bits for hosts
• Number of Networks: 16,384
• Hosts per Network: Approximately 65,000 (2^16 - 2).
• Usage: Suitable for medium-sized networks (e.g., universities).
3. Class C
• Range: 192.0.0.0 to 223.255.255.255
• Leading Bits: Starts with 110
• Network/Host Division: 24 bits for network, 8 bits for hosts
• Number of Networks: Over 2 million
• Hosts per Network: Up to 254 (2^8 - 2).
• Usage: Commonly used for small networks (e.g., small businesses).
4. Class D
• Range: 224.0.0.0 to 239.255.255.255
• Leading Bits: Starts with 1110
• Usage: Reserved for multicast groups; not assigned to individual
hosts.
5. Class E
• Range: 240.0.0.0 to 255.255.255.255
• Leading Bits: Starts with 1111
• Usage: Reserved for experimental purposes and future use; not assigned
for general use.
CONFIGURATION AND ANALYSIS OF CLASSFUL ADDRESSING USING CISCO PACKET TRACER
< Provide necessary outputs and give explanation for each output given >
a) Design a Local Area Network (5 devices including server) with two Class A – Blocks (Let the
netid of all blocks be 72) and analyse the communication.
COMPUTER NETWORKS FALL 2024-25 DR.SARANYA NAIR M
b) Repeat the Exercise (a), by changing the IP address of Server as 73.16.1.1 and analyse the
communication.
c) Repeat the above Exercise, for Class A vs Class B blocks and analyse the communication.
COMPUTER NETWORKS FALL 2024-25 DR.SARANYA NAIR M
INFERENCES & RESULT
INFERENCES & RESULT
1. Class A Addressing for LAN: Using Class A addressing in a LAN setup with a small number
of devices provides an address range far larger than needed, highlighting its
inefficiency for limited-device networks.
2. Communication Limitations Across Address Blocks: Assigning the server an IP address
from a different Class A block showed that communication is restricted to devices within
the same subnet or block. Devices on separate blocks or classes need routers for
inter-network communication.
3. Constraints of Classful Addressing: Classful addressing restricts flexibility as IP addresses
from different classes (e.g., Class A vs. Class B) cannot communicate directly in the same
LAN setup without routing, emphasizing the need for subnetting or CIDR in modern
network design.
Results:
1. Successfully assigned Class A IPs with a network ID of 72 to all devices in a LAN using
Cisco Packet Tracer, allowing communication within the same address block.
2. Reconfiguring the server IP to 73.16.1.1 (a different Class A block) effectively
demonstrated that communication across distinct networks requires routing.
3. Configurations involving Class A and Class B IP blocks confirmed that devices from
different address classes cannot interact directly within a LAN without a routing setup.
COMPUTER NETWORKS FALL 2024-25 DR.SARANYA NAIR M
