Routing and Subnets

If every computer on the Internet had to know the location of every other computer on the Internet and how to get from here to there, the entire Internet would have come to a grinding halt long ago. Early on, it became apparent that a method was needed to filter and route packets so you can easily not only print to your network printer, but also reach any other computer on the Internet without having to know a whole lot about how to get there. Enter subnets, routers, and gateways.

What Is a Subnet?

A subnet is simply a portion of the network that operates as a separate network, without regard to what happens outside and without affecting the rest of the network. A subnet is usually a separate physical “wire” that has only ...

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