Real-World Subnetting Examples

Let's look at practical scenarios. Here are examples of subnetting decisions in real networks.

Example 1: Home Network with 15 Devices

Devices:
- 2 laptops
- 2 phones
- 1 desktop
- 3 smart TVs
- 1 NAS
- 2 smart speakers
- 1 printer
- 1 router

Total: ~15 devices

Recommendation: Single /28 or /27 subnet

Network: 192.168.1.0/27
Range: 192.168.1.0 - 192.168.1.31
Usable: 192.168.1.1 - 192.168.1.30 (30 hosts)

Example 2: Home Network with Guest Isolation

Devices:
- 5 main devices (family)
- 10 IoT devices (smart bulbs, sensors)
- Guest devices (variable)

Total: ~20+

Recommendation: Multiple subnets

Main:    192.168.1.0/27   (30 hosts)
IoT:     192.168.2.0/27   (30 hosts)
Guest:   192.168.3.0/27   (30 hosts)

Example 3: Small Office (50 Employees)

Devices:
- 50 desktop computers
- 10 printers
- 10 phones (VoIP)
- 5 servers
- 20 mobile devices

Total: ~95 active devices

Recommendation: Separate subnets by function

Computers:  10.0.1.0/25    (126 hosts)
Phones:    10.0.2.0/26    (62 hosts)
Servers:   10.0.10.0/24   (254 hosts)
Printers:   10.0.20.0/27   (30 hosts)

Example 4: Medical Clinic (Compliance Required)

Requirements (HIPAA):
- Patient records must be isolated
- Front desk needs separate from exam rooms
- Guest WiFi must not access medical systems

Recommendation: Strict segmentation

Example 5: Point-to-Point Link Between Offices

Setup:
- Office A router: 203.0.113.1
- Office B router: 203.0.113.2

Recommendation: /30 for router-to-router

Network: 203.0.113.0/30
Usable: 203.0.113.1 - 203.0.113.2

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