What is the purpose of subnetting in IPv4 networks?

• A. To divide a large network into smaller, more manageable subnets, improving address utilization and performance
• B. To conserve IP addresses by merging networks into a single big subnet
• C. To assign static routes to devices
• D. To convert IPv4 into IPv6

Answer: (A)

Subnetting is the practice of dividing a larger IPv4 network into smaller subnets. By applying a subnet mask, you define which part of an address identifies the network and which part identifies hosts within that network. This lets you allocate just the right number of addresses for each segment, reducing waste. It also confines broadcast traffic to the subnet, lowering overall traffic and improving performance. In addition, subnetting supports organized routing and management—routers can summarize routes and administrators can apply policies per subnet. Merging networks into a single big subnet wastes addresses and increases broadcast domains; subnetting isn’t about assigning static routes, and it isn’t about converting IPv4 to IPv6.