Supernetwork

A supernetwork, or supernet, is an <a href="/facts/Internet_Protocol/Qq6VeEal">Internet Protocol</a> (IP) network that is formed by aggregation of multiple networks (or <a href="/facts/Subnets/s1rQsNDv">subnets</a>) into a larger network. The new <a href="/facts/Routing_prefix/z9V22Sw9">routing prefix</a> for the aggregate network represents the constituent networks in a single <a href="/facts/Routing_table/tufajWvV">routing table</a> entry. The process of forming a supernet is called supernetting, prefix aggregation, route aggregation, or route summarization.
Supernetting within the <a href="/facts/Internet/Xw1rVvJU">Internet</a> serves as a strategy to avoid fragmentation of the <a href="/facts/IP_address/z9V22Sw9">IP address</a> space by using a hierarchical allocation system that delegates control of segments of address space to <a href="/facts/Regional_Internet_registries/hrLGNjUS">regional Internet registries</a>. This method facilitates regional route aggregation.
The benefits of supernetting are efficiencies gained in <a href="/facts/Router_(computing)/Nh5cIyVf">routers</a> in terms of memory storage of route information and processing overhead when matching routes. Supernetting, however, can introduce interoperability issues and other risks.

Supernetwork open-in-new

Supernetwork