Understanding CIDR (Classless Inter-Domain Routing or supernetting)
- CIDR, also known as Classless Inter-Domain Routing or Supernetting, is a protocol for assigning IP addresses that improves address distribution efficiency and replaces the earlier systems based on Class A, Class B, and Class networks.
- Initially, CIDR was designed to slow down the increase in routing tables on routers all over the internet and to slow down the rapid exhaustion of IPv4 addresses.
- Consequently, the number of accessible internet addresses has increased significantly।
- Slash notation is used to show CIDR addresses, which indicate the number of bits in the network prefix.
- For instance, an IP address 192.168.1.0 with 24 prefixes would be written as 192.168.1.0/24. According to this notation, the first 24 bits of an IP address serve as the network prefix, while the remaining 8 bits serve as the host identifier।
Advantages of CIDR.
- Effective use of IP addresses: As the pool of accessible IPv4 addresses continues to dwindle, CIDR makes it possible to use IP addresses more effectively.
- Flexibility: CIDR makes IP address allocation more flexible, which is beneficial for businesses with intricate network requirements.
- Improved routing: CIDR makes it possible for IP traffic to be routed more effectively, which can improve network performance. Decreased administrative overhead: By making IP address and route management simpler, CIDR lowers administrative overhead.
Disadvantages of CIDR.
- Complexity: Compared to typical class-based addressing, CIDR implementation and management may be more difficult, requiring specialized knowledge and training.
- Compatibility problems: Making the switch to a CIDR-based network may be challenging if some older network equipment is incompatible with CIDR.
- Security issues: CIDR may make it more challenging to put security controls like firewall rules and access control lists into place, which may raise security threats.
All things considered, CIDR is a practical and effective way to assign IP addresses and route traffic, albeit not every network or company will find it appropriate. Before installing CIDR, it's critical to assess the benefits and drawbacks of the technology and take your network's unique requirements into account.
