Class C v/s Class B Addressing in a small switched network

[ravi.malghan]

Hi: I have a small network with about 3 edge switches and a core switch. About 100 users and one single VLAN. I am about to create a 3 separate VLANs. I have a few questions about IP Addressing.

Since I donot have any routers, does it matter if I use a Class C or Class B address? In other words I am trying to see if performance might be different if I use a subnet mask of 255.255.255.0 vs using 255.255.0.0 for all devices in the network.

Thanks

Ravi

[Marvin Rhoads]

It will make no difference with respect to performance per se. Assuming you're using RFC 1918 address ranges, use a Class A space it you'd like (10.x.x.x).

It would however behoove you for purpposes of address management to mask whatever network number you use down to an appropriate managable range - probably a /24 or /24 for a network that size.

Hope this helps. Please rate helpful posts.

[ekiriakos]

You said that you don't have any routers. If you want inter-vlan communication you need a router.

Rgds

E.

[Marvin Rhoads]

Most switches characterized as "core" switches these days run IOS and have routing functionality built in.

Ravi - switch model and image name will tell us that ("sh ver" output).