Configuring a network

[Mr20]

I have 4 Cisco Catalyst 3550 Multilayer Switches. I'm setting up a Local Area Network without external access to the internet. Which means we will not be using a router.

My question is: I want to break the network up into 4 subnetworks. For example a 10.0.1.1, 10.0.2.1, 10.0.3.1, and 10.0.4.1. Will assigning the network a subnet mask of 255.255.0.0 allow the devices on the different networks to communicate or will I need a router?

Thanks in advance for your comments.

 

[lgarner]

If you have 4 subnets you will need a router.

If you use a /16 mask and number your addresses as you've indicated, then you don't need a router since you have only one subnet.

 

[Mr20]

Thanks lgarner

My definition of a subnet must be wrong. So, without a routet, but with a subnet mask of 255.255.0.0, a device hanging off the switch with IP address of 10.0.1.1 will be able to communicate with a device hanging off of switch 10.0.2.1?

 

[lgarner]

That's correct. With that subnet and addressing scheme, all addresses beginning with 10.0 can communicate with each other.

The subnet mask is what determines whether a device is on a local network or not, rather that the octets of the IP address. In other words, the decimal points don't matter except to make the addresses easier to read.

 

[Mr20]

Thanks for the explanation, I understand now.

 

[ccmuser]

The 3550 will funtion as an intervlan router for you with the proper IOS load..

 

[Mr20]

ccmuser,

I have IOS load 12.1(19)EA1c.

 

[Mr20]

I found the answer to my question. Any IOS after 12.1(11)EA1 has InterVLAN Routing Capability.

Thanks,