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CIDR stands for Classless Inter-Domain Routing.
There are two different types of subnetmasks, Classful and Classless.
Classful routing just includes the class A, class B and class C network and nothing between.
Classless routing (CIDR) makes it possible to route between different classes.
For example, if you have a class C network and its to small, but you dont want class B, then you can use CIDR.
Class C: 255.255.255.0 Class B: 255.255.0.0 CIDR: 255.255.180.0 (in that case)
So basically CIDR makes it possible to use your IP range more flexible and efficient.
It always depends on your subnetmask and your IP address.
So if your IP adress is given "77.88.99.182" and your subnetmask is set "255.255.255.224", first you will recognize, that you have got a class C network.
The 4th octet of your IP address and your subnetmask is your host share.
First of all, the IP's must be translated to binary:
77. 88. 99.182 = 1001101.1011000.1100011.101|10110
255. 255. 255.224 = 11111111.11111111.11111111.11100000
To make things easier, you will have to cut the 4th octet of your subnetmask, at the point where the ones stop.
The IP also gets divided, at the same stop where the subnetmask does.
There are 5 bits host share of your subnetmask. Because it is in binary, you will have to calculate 2⁵.
2⁵ = 32
Eventually you have got 32 IP's to distribute in your network.
The broadcast and the network itself cover 2 IP's, that means at all there are 30 more IP's to set.
An IP broadcast address is the highest number in its class, for example, the broadcast address of a Class C 192.168. 16.0 network is 192.168. 16.255.