Does entering a /8 homenet increase resource utilization?

[sstocks]

I have a client that is running an 8140 sourcefire box. After looking at the configured homenets, I see they have a /8 defined. 

Can this cause increased resource utilization? 

I will be working to define their networks more precisely but was hoping to get this answered.

Thanks!

Steve

[Marvin Rhoads]

As long as the /8 defined for the $HOME_NET doesn't sweep up hosts from outside the network of interest then it's fine and should not consume any additional resources. It also cuts down on the overhead of tweaking the object every time a subnet is added (or forgetting to do so).

Some engineers even include all RFC 1918 networks in the object just to make sure they get everything when delaing with a customer who may not have an exact listing of all of their internal subnets.

[sstocks]

Thank you for the reply Marvin, much appreciated!

[Marvin Rhoads]

You're welcome. Please mark your question as answered if it has been.