What are SMART goals and why are they important in IT?

Whether in personal or professional life, goals always set a direction for where you wish to go, in addition to defining the guidelines with which to reach that desired end. In addition, awareness and motivation are generated about the actions that are carried out, which allows us to focus our energies and efforts. It is also important to consider that, in order to achieve the goals, a clear path is needed on how to get there, since, without clear goals, it is like shooting into the air blindly and very likely to generate frustration. Hence, defining objectives is to improve the productivity of your IT team, with communication and motivation. To structure the objectives, the S.M.A.R.T. Methodology is recommended, which refers to the acronym of Specific (Specific), Measurable (Measurable), Achievable (Achievable), Relevant (Relevant) and Time-based (Time Defined or Temporary).

As we will see later, creating SMART objectives in IT involves defining five aspects that help to concentrate and re-evaluate initiatives as necessary. These consider that clear and measurable objectives will help you plan objectives and implement improvements in IT project management, promoting planned and predictive monitoring, IT management and the productivity of your employees to generate a resilient and reliable technology infrastructure and services, which guarantee a better experience for users and the organization as a whole.

Breakdown of SMART Goals into IT Projects

If you do not consider all the SMART aspects, you may be setting goals for monitoring and optimizing IT systems and resources, but not effectively defining them in a plan to achieve them. That is why you must be clear about each of these five aspects, which we summarize below:

• Specific: Here we refer to the goal being clearly articulated, so that everyone on your team understands it and is in tune. You must define what will be achieved and what actions must be taken to achieve that goal. Objectives should be detailed to the extent necessary for key IT components, such as server and network availability percentages. You may ask yourself questions such as the following: for what purpose? and, what do you wish to achieve?
• Measurable: Objectives must be quantifiable in order to track progress. You need to define what data will be used to measure the goal and establish a collection method. In this case, you must define the KPIs or metrics, such as those you defined in the management of SLA, SLI or SLO, in order to track progress towards the desired objectives. The questions you may ask yourself could be: what indicators or factors tell us if we are achieving it?
• Achievable: Any goal must be realistic in order to maintain the enthusiasm to try to achieve it. You may need to set goals in stages, to go from step to step and not try to climb a one-jump ladder. Keep in mind that you should avoid overloading IT and human resources. If the goal is not feasible at the moment, you may need to increase resources first to have a chance to succeed. You may first need to set a SMART goal on obtaining the resources before defining another goal. Questions you might want to ask yourself include: What does it take to achieve this, and do you have the resources to do so?
• Relevant: Objectives must be aligned with the strategic and operational needs of the company. What we mean is that you do nott set goals just as an exercise. One way to determine whether the goal is relevant is to define the key benefit to the organization, such as improving customer service, accelerating disaster recovery, etc. The corresponding questions are: does it contribute to the organization’s goal?, who does it impact?, why is it important?
• Time-bound: Goals should have a deadline to maintain focus and productivity. That is because a goal without a deadline does not do much to identify whether the attempt was successful or failed. We also mean that, from success or lack of it, you may set new goals. That is why it is important to set deadlines on goals. The questions you can ask yourself are: what is the deadline to achieve it? Or are there dates for some stages of the project?

To be clearer about how to apply this methodology, we will see below some examples of SMART objectives, taking into account each of their elements.

Practical Examples of SMART Goals in IT

Here are some examples of SMART goals in IT management to know how to define and write them, considering their five elements in a table to make it clearer:

• • SMART goal to improve server response time.
    

    Specific	Measurable	Achievable	Relevant	Time-bound
    Reduce the response time of web servers	Decrease the average response time from 500 ms to 200 ms.	Improve server and content delivery network (CDN) configuration.	Improve user experience and increase customer satisfaction.	Achieve a reduction in server response time within 6 months.
    How to draft it: Reduce the response time of web servers from 500 ms to 200 ms, through improvements in server configuration and in the content distribution network, in order to create a better user and customer experience within 6 months.

  • SMART goal to reduce downtime of critical applications.
    

    Specific	Measurable	Achievable	Relevant	Time-bound
    Reduce downtime of critical applications.	Reduce downtime from 5 hours per month to less than 1 hour per month.	Implement a 24/7 monitoring system, perform regular preventive maintenance and set up a quick incident response protocol.	Ensure continuous availability of critical applications to maintain productivity and customer satisfaction.	Achieve reduced downtime of critical applications within 3 months.
    How to draft it: Reduce critical application downtime from 5 hours to less than 1 hour per month by implementing system and application monitoring on a 24/7 basis, regular preventive maintenance, and quick incident response protocols to ensure availability, productivity, and customer satisfaction within 3 months.

  • SMART goal for optimizing network capacity in distributed environments.
    

    Specific	Measurable	Achievable	Relevant	Time-bound
    Optimize network capacity in distributed environments.	Increase network capacity by 30% and reduce latency by 20%.	Implement load balancing technologies, improve network infrastructure and use advanced monitoring tools.	Ensure optimal performance and high availability of services in distributed environments.	Achieve network capacity improvements within 4 months.
    How to draft it: Optimize network capacity in distributed environments in 4 months, by increasing network capacity by 30% and reducing latency by 20%, implementing load balancing technologies (such as content distribution network, adoption of MPLS, traffic prioritization), improvements in the network infrastructure and the use of advanced monitoring tools, to ensure optimal performance and high availability of services in distributed environments.

Benefits of SMART Goals

When you have set SMART goals, you may get clear benefits for yourself and your IT management team:

• • • Improvements in communication through clarity about what you wish to achieve and how to achieve it.
    • When measured, it can be improved, without subjectivity. Progress can be monitored, in addition to establishing accountability mechanisms and even incentives.
    • Increase in confidence and frustration prevention thanks to the achievable nature of the goals.
    • Commitment of the team to achieve goals within a defined time frame, generating a sense of prioritization and responsibility.

And something very important is the relevance of the objectives, seeking that they are always aligned with the goals of the organization, generating a positive and tangible impact for the business.

Disadvantages or, Rather, Considerations about SMART Goals

You always have to see the other side of the coin to avoid some frustration when implementing a methodology. Therefore, we recommend that you consider the following:

• • • Avoid the lack of flexibility. There may be limitations for specific aspects that prevent you from exploring options outside the methodology. You must be able to adapt to changing conditions. It is perfectly fine to readjust goals.
    • Excessive focus on results. It is true that SMART goals focus on the final results. This may lead to frustration if immediate success is not achieved. Focus on learning along the way.
    • Not using intuition. Although SMART goals are written in order to maintain a plan, do not neglect intuition. Trust what your instincts and experience can complement what you have written down in your SMART goals.

And there are not only SMART goals but also SMARTER ones

Evaluation and Review have been added to the SMART elements, becoming S.M.A.R.T.E.R. goals , where E.R. refer to:

• • • Evaluation: Goals must be periodically evaluated on their progress in order to be able to make the necessary adjustments.
    • Review: Goals need to be continually reviewed to ensure they remain relevant and achievable, especially when we know business conditions are changing and therefore IT initiatives need to be synchronized to those needs.

As you may see, by incorporating evaluation and review into SMART goals, we seek to ensure continuous evaluation and adaptation, while maintaining focus and long-term improvements.

Conclusion: How SMART goals improve IT projects

Adopting the SMART goals methodology helps optimize IT monitoring projects, as it allows IT staff to look towards the same objectives, improving communication about what and how they want to achieve in an objective, measurable and reliable way, in addition to establishing a joint commitment. The ultimate goal of this type of objective is to generate a relevant impact for the business and its customers.
Pandora FMS recommends approaching its consultants to find out how to carry out the SMART objectives based on a comprehensive and intuitive solution for system monitoring and observability, as well as those of each of their components and their services. For example, Pandora FMS has the capabilities to detect the factors that impact user experience.

Introduction to MPLS and its Relevance in Business Networks

What is MPLS?

Importance of MPLS in Network Infrastructures for Businesses Seeking to Reduce Latency and Improve Reliability

Advantages of MPLS for IT Infrastructures

• Improvement in Quality of Service (QoS) From a QoS perspective, ISPs help manage different types of data flows based on priority and service plan. For example, there are different needs for a business area with a premium service plan or that receives a large amount of streaming (or high-bandwidth) multimedia content, and may experience latency in the network service. When entering packets into an MPLS network, Label Edge Routers (LER) assign a label or identifier that contains information based on the routing table input (i.e. destination, bandwidth, latency, and other metrics) and references the IP header field (source IP address), the socket number information and the differentiated service. Each core router uses tags to determine the most efficient path to its destination. That is, switching is being performed based on labels and their priority, so that data packets move throughout the network accurately and quickly. It should be noted that QoS metrics include parameters such as bandwidth, delay, jitter, packet loss, availability, and reliability, which reflect network features and performance, as well as traffic. What’s relevant about this is that MPLS supports QoS mechanisms that prioritize critical traffic, ensuring that high-priority applications benefit from bandwidth optimization and low latency.
• SLA Compliance in Distributed Networks In service management, compliance with the commitments set out in a Service Level Agreement (SLA) must be monitored. By using MPLS, it is possible to ensure network performance by enabling the creation of dedicated paths for data packets. This ensures that network performance metrics (latency, jitter, and packet loss) are implemented consistently. MPLS networks are also designed with redundancy and failover capabilities, which improve network reliability and uptime. The sum of this ensures that network operability remains operational and meets the availability targets specified in the SLAs.
• Bandwidth Usage Efficiency and Traffic Prioritization MPLS networks provide strong tools for monitoring and managing network performance, as tags are used to route packets through the network. Each package is assigned a label that states its path and priority. Compared to traditional routing, MPLS is more efficient as it allows traffic engineering to be implemented, helping network operators optimize data flow through the network. By controlling the paths that data packets take, MPLS can avoid congestion and ensure that high-priority traffic is delivered efficiently. MPLS also allows adopting (CoS, Class of service), which is a parameter used in data and voice protocols, critical for many business applications. This is because MPLS helps to classify and manage traffic based on predefined classes of service, according to their criticality and the level of service required. For that reason, service providers may address issues more proactively with MPLS and even easily scale to accommodate growing network demands without compromising network performance.

MPLS vs. emerging technologies such as SD-WAN

Comparison between MPLS and SD-WAN

How SD-WAN and MPLS can complement each other

• Profitability: SD-WAN can leverage lower-cost broadband Internet connections together with MPLS, reducing overall network costs while maintaining high network performance for critical applications.
• Network Performance: MPLS provides reliable, low-latency connections for mission-critical applications, while SD-WAN can route less critical traffic over broadband or other available connections. Both methods together optimizes bandwidth usage.
• Redundancy and reliability: Combining MPLS and SD-WAN offers greater redundancy. If an MPLS link fails, SD-WAN can automatically redirect traffic through alternate paths. This ensures steady connectivity.
• Scalability: By means of SD-WAN, your team can simplify the onboarding of new sites and connections. With MPLS you may manage high priority traffic, leaving the rest to be managed with SD-WAN. With that, you will be implementing scalability and flexibility to adapt to business needs.
• Security: Using SD-WAN, your IT and security employees can take advantage of the fact that it is common for it to include integrated security features (encryption and firewalls) that can complement the MPLS security strategy, as you would be adding an additional protection layer.

How Pandora FMS monitors MPLS networks

Pandora FMS features to monitor MPLS network traffic

• Bandwidth and Traffic Monitoring:
  • SNMP (Simple Network Management Protocol): Pandora FMS uses SNMP to collect real-time data on bandwidth usage and traffic from MPLS network interfaces.
  • NetFlow and sFlow: These technologies allow detailed analysis of traffic flow, identifying patterns and possible bottlenecks in the MPLS network.
• Latency and Packet Loss Monitoring:
  • Ping and Traceroute Tests: Pandora FMS runs these tests periodically to measure latency and detect packet loss on MPLS paths.
  • Round-Trip Time Monitoring: Continuous evaluation of the time it takes for packages to travel from the source to the destination and vice versa.
• Service Level Agreements (SLA) Management:
  • Custom Alerts: Alert configuration based on compliance with the SLAs defined for the MPLS network, ensuring that any deviation is detected and managed immediately.
  • Compliance Reports: Generation of detailed reports that show the degree of compliance with SLAs, rendering informed decision making easier.
• Display and Dashboards:
  • Custom Dashboards: Pandora FMS allows you to create specific dashboards for MPLS networks, showing key metrics such as bandwidth usage, latency, and packet loss.
  • Interactive Network Maps: Graphic display of the MPLS network topology, facilitating quick identification of critical points and potential problems.
• Integration with Network Management Tools:
  • APIs and Webhooks: Integration with other management and automation tools, allowing fast and coordinated responses to incidents in MPLS networks.
  • Compatibility with Security Protocols: It ensures that monitoring is performed securely, protecting sensitive data on the MPLS network.

Examples of how to ensure Quality of Service and SLA optimization

• Traffic Priority:
  • Traffic Classification: By using defined rules, Pandora FMS can identify and prioritize critical traffic types (such as VoIP or real-time applications) over less latency-sensitive ones.
  • Bandwidth Allocation: Dynamic adjustment of the bandwidth allocated to different types of traffic to ensure that priority applications always have the necessary resources.
• Proactive SLA Monitoring:
  • Real-Time Alerts: Setting up alerts to notify the IT team when SLA indicators (such as availability or response time) fall below agreed levels.
  • Trend Analysis: Evaluation of history data to identify trends that may affect future SLAs, allowing for preventive adjustments in MPLS network configuration.
• Path Optimization:
  • Traffic and Performance Analysis: By using data collected by Pandora FMS, sub-optimal paths may be identified and MPLS routing reconfigured to improve overall network performance.
  • Load Distribution: Equal distribution of traffic between different MPLS routes to avoid overloads and improve bandwidth usage efficiency.
• SLA Detailed Reports:
  • Custom Reports: Creation of reports showing compliance with SLAs at specific intervals, providing a clear view of MPLS network performance.
  • Incident Analysis: Documentation of incidents that affected SLAs, making the identification of root causes and the implementation of corrective measures easier.

Use cases of MPLS featuring Pandora FMS

• Centralized System Monitoring: Pandora FMS can monitor multiple sites connected through MPLS from a central location. That is because from devices, data can be collected automatically from remote sources (for example, Telemetry) and then transmitted to a central location (in Pandora FMS panel) where they are analyzed for system and network monitoring and control. In business ecosystems, telemetry is critical to managing and managing IT infrastructure. This configuration enables comprehensive monitoring of network performance, ensuring that all MPLS links work optimally.
• Performance Tracking: By integrating with MPLS, Pandora FMS can track network performance metrics such as latency, jitter, and packet loss. This helps maintain Quality of Service (QoS) and ensure that critical applications receive the necessary bandwidth.
• Fault detection and resolution: Pandora FMS detects faults in MPLS networks and generates alerts in real time. This allows your team to identify and solve issues quickly and efficiently, minimizing downtime and maintaining network reliability.
• Traffic Analysis: With Pandora FMS, you may analyze patterns in MPLS link traffic. This helps analyze bandwidth usage, prevent bottlenecks, and optimize traffic flow.
• Scalability: Pandora FMS, from a single console, offers the ability to monitor MPLS networks at large scale, especially for organizations with very extensive and complex network infrastructures.
• Implementation of monitoring solutions and detection of security problems: Pandora FMS can monitor the security aspects of MPLS networks, ensuring that it remains safe and, in the event of a potential threat, issues are quickly identified and addressed.

Conclusion

• Quality of Service Improvement. MPLS supports QoS mechanisms to prioritize critical traffic. Pandora FMS can identify and prioritize critical traffic types over less latency-sensitive ones. From a console, you may measure bandwidth and network consumption in real time to ensure Quality of Service.
• SLA Compliance in Distributed Networks. Dedicated paths for data packets can be created using MPLS. This ensures that network performance metrics (latency, jitter, and packet loss) are implemented consistently. With Pandora FMS you may configure alerts to notify IT staff when any SLA indicator is below the agreed levels.
• Bandwidth Usage Efficiency and Traffic Prioritization. Compared to traditional routing, MPLS is more efficient because it can control and prioritize routes for data packets. Pandora FMS can help you identify sub-optimal paths and reconfigure MPLS routing to improve overall network performance.

Olivia Díaz

Market analyst and writer with +30 years in the IT market for demand generation, ranking and relationships with end customers, as well as corporate communication and industry analysis. Analista de mercado y escritora con más de 30 años en el mercado TIC en áreas de generación de demanda, posicionamiento y relaciones con usuarios finales, así como comunicación corporativa y análisis de la industria. Analyste du marché et écrivaine avec plus de 30 ans d’expérience dans le domaine informatique, particulièrement la demande, positionnement et relations avec les utilisateurs finaux, la communication corporative et l’anayse de l’indutrie.

Subnetting is the process of dividing a network into several smaller, independent subnets. Each subnet is a portion of the core network that follows a specific logic. We know the definition of the use of subnets in local networks that we could use in our company, y, since the benefits of using subnetting are several:

• Increase of network performance: The amount of data traffic on a network with subnets is reduced, as traffic can be directed only to the necessary subnet. This also decreases broadcast traffic (packets that are sent to all devices on the network), being able to send them only to specific subnets.
• Improved network security: Subnets may be isolated from each other, making it easier to establish boundaries between different network segments by means of a firewall.
• Ease of network management: Having multiple subnets increases flexibility in network management compared to working with a single network.

Process for creating subnets

Before you start creating subnets, it is important to know three key concepts:

• Original IP Address: This is the base IP address from which you will start to create the necessary subnets. IPv4 addresses are divided into classes (A, B, C, D and E). In LAN networks, Class A (10.0.0.0 – 10.255.255.255), Class B (172.16.0.0 – 172.31.255.255), or Class C (192.168.0.0 – 192.168.255.255) addresses are generally used.
• Subnet Mask: It indicates which part of the IP address corresponds to the network and subnet number and which part corresponds to hosts. In addition, it also tells devices to identify whether a host is within a local subnet or comes from a remote network.
• Broadcast address: It is the highest address of a subnet and allows simultaneous traffic between all nodes of a subnet. A packet sent to the broadcast address will be sent to all subnet devices.

Once these concepts are clear, you may begin to calculate the subnets.

• Choosing the source IP address: The choice of this source IP for a local network will usually be class A, B or C and will depend on the number of hosts you need on your network. For the example, we will use the class C address 192.168.1.0/24.
• Determining the number of subnets: You need to decide how many subnets you wish or need to create. The more subnets, the fewer IP addresses will be available to hosts. In our example we will create 4 subnets.
• Subnet Mask Calculation: Starting from the IP 192.168.1.0/24, where /24 indicates that we use 24 bits for the subnet, which leaves 8 bits for the hosts. This translates to binary as:
  11111111.11111111.11111111.00000000
  subnet bits (24) host bits (8)
• Borrowing bits for subnets: To create subnets, take bits from those available for hosts. The formula to calculate how many bits you need is:
  2^n >= N
  Where N is the number of subnets (4 in our example) and n is the number of bits needed. Here, n equals 2, since: 2^2 >= 4
• New Subnet Mask: By taking 2 bits from hosts, the new subnet mask will be:
  11111111.11111111.11111111.11000000
  subnet bits (26) / host bits (6)
  This translates to /26 or 255.255.255.192.
• Assigning source IP addresses for each subnet: Using the two borrowed bits, you get the following combinations:
  192.168.1.0/26
  192.168.1.64/26
  192.168.1.128/26
  192.168.1.192/26
• Calculating IPs for each subnet: For each subnet, calculate the first and last usable IP address and broadcast address:
  
  • Subnet 192.168.1.0/26:
    
    • First IP: 192.168.1.1
    • Last IP: 192.168.1.62
    • Broadcast address: 192.168.1.63
  • Subnet 192.168.1.64/26:
    
    • First IP: 192.168.1.65
    • Last IP: 192.168.1.126
    • Broadcast address: 192.168.1.127
  • Subnet 192.168.1.128/26:
    
    • First IP: 192.168.1.129
    • Last IP: 192.168.1.190
    • Broadcast address: 192.168.1.191
  • Subnet 192.168.1.192/26:
    
    • First IP: 192.168.1.193
    • Last IP: 192.168.1.254
    • Broadcast address: 192.168.1.255

Summarizing in a table:

To make the task of performing these calculations easier, there are online calculators such as this one.

Subnet-to-subnet communication

Although subnets may be part of the same local network, let us not forget that now each subnet is a different network. A router is required for devices on different subnets to communicate. The router will determine whether the traffic is local or remote using the subnet mask.
Each subnet connects to a router interface, which is assigned an IP from those available for hosts. This address will be the default gateway that we will set on the computers in that subnet. All computers must have the same subnet mask (255.255.255.192 in our example).

IPv6 Subnets

Creating IPv6 subnets is different and often less complex than IPv4 ones. In IPv6 there is no need to set aside addresses for a network or broadcast address. Considering that IPv4 sets aside addresses for the main network and the broadcast address in each subnet, these two concepts do not exist in IPv6.

Creating an IPv6 Subnet

An IPv6 Unicast address has 128 bits in hexadecimal format. These 128 bits are divided into the following elements:

• Global Routing Prefix: The first 48 bits indicate the portion of the network assigned by the service provider to a client.
• Subnet ID: The next 16 bits after the global routing prefix are used to identify the different subnets.
• Interface ID: The last 64 bits are the equivalent of the host bits of an IPv4 address. This allows each subnet to support up to 18 quintillion host addresses per subnet.

To create IPv6 subnets, just incrementally increase the subnet ID:
Example:

• Global routing prefix: 2001:0db8:000b::/48
• Subnets:
  
  • 2001:0db8:000b:0001::/64
  • 2001:0db8:000b:0002::/64
  • 2001:0db8:000b:0003::/64
  • 2001:0db8:000b:0004::/64
  • 2001:0db8:000b:0005::/64
  • 2001:0db8:000b:0006::/64
  • 2001:0db8:000b:0007::/64

Point-to-point networks

A point-to-point network is a particular type of network that directly communicates between two nodes, making communication between them easier, since each data channel is used to communicate only between those two devices.

Point-to-point subnets

A point-to-point subnet is a type of subnet with a /31 mask, which leaves only two addresses available to hosts. A broadcast IP is not needed in this type of configuration, as there is only communication between two computers.
These types of networks are usually used more in WAN than in LAN, and have the particularities that they are very easy to configure and at low cost, but they are not scalable nor their performance is the best, since all devices may work as client and server in a single link.

Subnet disadvantages and limitations

Although subnets provide several advantages, they also have limitations:

• Network design complexity: The initial design and configuration may be challenging, and it is necessary to maintain a clear outline of the whole network for proper maintenance.
• Waste of IP addresses: Each subnet needs to set aside two IPs (primary address and broadcast address) that cannot be assigned to devices. In addition, if subnets are isolated and all have the same size, unused addresses in one subnet cannot be used in another.
• Appropriate router required: A router capable of handling the infrastructure is required, increasing complexity in routing tables.

Despite these limitations, the benefits of subnetting often outweigh the disadvantages, making it a common practice for many companies to improve the performance and security of their networks.

What do the different parts of an IP address mean?

This section focuses on IPv4 addresses, which are presented as four decimal numbers separated by periods, such as 203.0.113.112. (IPv6 addresses are longer and use letters and numbers.)
Each IP address has two parts. The first part indicates to which network the address belongs. The second part specifies the device on that network. However, the length of the “first part” changes depending on the network class.
Networks are classified into different classes, labeled A through E. Class A networks can connect millions of devices. Class B and class C networks are progressively smaller. (Class D and Class E networks are not commonly used).

Network Class Breakdown

• Class A Network: Everything that goes before the first point indicates the network, and everything that goes after specifies the device on that network. If you use 203.0.113.112 as an example, the network is indicated with “203” and the device with “0.113.112.”
• Class B Network: Everything that goes before the second point indicates the network. If you use 203.0.113.112 again as an example, the network is indicated with “203.0” and the device within that network with “113.112.”
• Class C Network: In class C networks, everything that goes before the third point indicates the network. If you use the same example, “203.0.113” indicates the class C network, and “112” indicates the device.

Importance of subnets

Building IP addresses makes it relatively easy for Internet routers to find the right network to direct data to. However, on a Class A network, for example, there may be millions of devices connected, and the data may take time to find the right device. That is why subnets are useful: subnets limit the IP address for use within a range of devices.
Since an IP address is limited to indicating the network and address of the device, IP addresses cannot be used to indicate which subnet an IP packet should go to. Routers on a network use something known as a subnet mask to classify data into subnets.

What is a subnet mask?

A subnet mask is like an IP address, but only for internal use within a network. Routers use subnet masks to direct data packets to the right place. Subnet masks are not indicated within data packets traversing the Internet: those packets only indicate the destination IP address, which a router will match to a subnet.

Subnet Mask Example

Suppose an IP packet is addressed to the IP address 192.0.2.15. This IP address is a class C network, so the network is identified with “192.0.2” (or technically, 192.0.2.0/24). Network routers forward the packet to a server on the network indicated by “192.0.2.”
Once the packet reaches that network, a router on the network queries its routing table. It performs binary mathematical operations with its subnet mask of 255.255.255.0, sees the address of the device “15” (the rest of the IP address indicates the network) and calculates which subnet the packet should go to. It forwards the packet to the router or switch responsible for delivering the packets on that subnet, and the packet arrives at IP address 192.0.2.15.
In short, a subnet mask helps routers classify and route traffic efficiently within a large network, thereby improving network performance and organization.

Conclusion

Subnetting is a kay technique for dividing large networks into more manageable subnets, thereby improving network performance, security, and management. Although the process can be complex, online tools and calculators can make it significantly easier. Understanding and effectively applying subnetting is essential for any network administrator.

Olivia Díaz

Market analyst and writer with +30 years in the IT market for demand generation, ranking and relationships with end customers, as well as corporate communication and industry analysis.

Analista de mercado y escritora con más de 30 años en el mercado TIC en áreas de generación de demanda, posicionamiento y relaciones con usuarios finales, así como comunicación corporativa y análisis de la industria.

Analyste du marché et écrivaine avec plus de 30 ans d’expérience dans le domaine informatique, particulièrement la demande, positionnement et relations avec les utilisateurs finaux, la communication corporative et l’anayse de l’indutrie.