With subnetting, the class arrangement of an IP address is ignored. For example, a class C address no longer has to have 24 bits of network number and 8 bits of host ID. With subnetting, some of the host ID bits are converted into network number bits.

A means of making a splitting a single IP address into multiple network addresses. It is accomplished by mathematically combining an IP address with another set of numbers called a network mask. Subnetting increases the number of networks an organization can have but decreases the number of hosts that can be on each network.

Subnetting entails splitting a single IP address into multiple network addresses.

A technique used to maximize the number of networks available within a range (class) of addresses. See also Subnetwork.