Book Image

Mastering Linux Network Administration

By : Jay LaCroix
Book Image

Mastering Linux Network Administration

By: Jay LaCroix

Overview of this book

Linux is everywhere. Whether you run a home office, a small business, or manage enterprise systems, Linux can empower your network to perform at its very best. Armed with the advanced tools and best practice guidance of this practical guide, you'll be able to mold Linux networks to your will, empowering your systems and their users to take advantage of all that Linux-based networks have to offer. Understand how Linux networks function and get to grips with essential tips and tricks to manage them - whether you're already managing a networks, or even just starting out. With Debian and CentOS as its source, this book will divulge all the details you need to manage a real Linux-based network. With detailed activities and instructions based on real-world scenarios, this book will be your guide to the exciting world of Linux networking.
Table of Contents (17 chapters)
Mastering Linux Network Administration
Credits
About the Author
About the Reviewers
www.PacktPub.com
Preface
Index

Understanding the CIDR notation


As I mentioned earlier, the concept of classful subnetting isn't used that often anymore. The main use of classful subnetting is in the default configuration of network appliances (such as routers) and also the default settings of most DHCP servers. In the case of home routers, the DHCP server is typically built in, and the default scheme is most often a Class C network (typically 192.168.1.0, with a couple of variations in between). But with most devices, home or enterprise, you'll probably get a Class C IP scheme if you don't change it to something else. There's nothing necessarily wrong with these default settings in a small network, but almost no one configuring a network nowadays uses the classful style. The reason for this is that classful networks are too limiting; in complex network roll-outs, it can be a pain to try to force your network plan to fit within one of these predetermined schemes.

The answer to the lack of flexibility in classful schemes...