Subnet Calculator In C++

Subnetting is a condensed form of two terms: Sub and Netting. Substitution is the concept at play here, with netting being the specific terminology. Subnetting involves establishing a Replacement Network to enable a particular operation. The Replacement Network does not signify the formation of a completely new network within this context. The entire network is segmented into smaller segments, each with its own distinct designation. A subnet is the title assigned to a segment of a segmented network, which may also be known as a replacement network. Subnets represent the authorized segments of the IP (Internet Protocol) addressing process.

A Subnet Calculator in C++ is a tool that enables users to calculate subnet masks, network addresses, broadcast addresses, and the range of usable host addresses within a specified IP address range and subnet mask. Subnetting is a technique employed in computer networking to partition a large IP address space into smaller, more manageable subnetworks. This strategy aids in the allocation of IP addresses and the efficient utilization of network resources, allowing for the creation of multiple smaller networks within a larger network.

Key Points of the C++ Subnet Calculator:

The following are some of the important features that such a calculator should have:

• ✅ IP Address Input: The calculator should allow users to enter an IP address in the format of four octets surrounded by dots.
• ✅ Subnet Mask Input: Users should be able to enter a subnet mask in either decimals or CIDR format.
• ✅ Subnet Information: The calculator should offer important subnet information, such as: The network address is the initial address in the network.
• ✅ Broadcast Address: The final address in the network.
• ✅ Usable IP Range: The range of IP addresses that are usable and can be given to devices on the network segment, excluding networking and broadcast addresses.
• ✅ CIDR Notation: If a subnet mask has been entered in the CIDR notation, the calculator will need to be able to transform it to a decimal subnet masking and vice versa.
• ✅ Validation: The calculator must verify user inputs to make sure they are in the right format and fall within valid ranges.
• ✅ Error Handling: It provides suitable error messages or answers if the user inputs are incorrect.
• ✅ Subnetting: Users should be able to subnet deeper inside a given subnet and compute sub-subnet information.
• ✅ Reverse DNS Lookup: The calculator can run reverse DNS lookups for supplying the domain name for IP addresses.

Important Subnet Calculator Features

Several Subnet Calculator features are as follows:

• ✅ It determines the broadcast and network addresses for every subnet.
• ✅ It establishes the range of IP addresses that are functional in each subnet.
• ✅ It allows IPv4 and IPv6 addresses to be used.
• ✅ It displays subnet data in an easy-to-use manner.

Example:

Let's consider a scenario to demonstrate the subnet calculator functionality in C++.

#include <bitset> 
#include <iostream> 
#include <sstream> 
#include <string> 
#include <vector> 

using namespace std; 

// function 
void Subnet(const string& ip_Addressvalue, const string& subnet_Maskvalue) 
{ 
	//The input parameters are parsing
	vector<int> ip_Parts; 
	vector<int> mask_Parts; 

	istringstream ipStream(ip_Addressvalue); 
	istringstream maskStream(subnet_Maskvalue); 
	string iputPart; 

	while (getline(ipStream, iputPart, '.')) { 
		ip_Parts.push_back(stoi(iputPart)); 
	} 

	string masksipPart; 
	while (getline(maskStream, masksipPart, '.')) { 
		mask_Parts.push_back(stoi(masksipPart)); 
	} 

	// the network address is calculated
	vector<int> newnetworkAddress; 
	for (size_t i = 0; i < ip_Parts.size(); i++) { 
		newnetworkAddress.push_back(ip_Parts[i] & mask_Parts[i]); 
	} 
	vector<int> broadcastingAddress; 
	for (size_t i = 0; i < ip_Parts.size(); i++) { 
		broadcastingAddress.push_back( 
			ip_Parts[i] | (~mask_Parts[i] & 0xFF)); 
	} 

	// the values of the usable ip address
	newnetworkAddress[3]++; 
	broadcastingAddress[3]--; 

	// Display subnet details 
	cout << "The Subnet Details is:" << endl; 

	cout << "The Network Address is: "; 
	for (int i = 0; i < 4; i++) { 
		cout << newnetworkAddress[i]; 
		if (i < 3) { 
			cout << "."; 
		} 
	} 
	cout << endl; 

	cout << "The Broadcast Address is: "; 
	for (int i = 0; i < 4; i++) { 
		cout << broadcastingAddress[i]; 
		if (i < 3) { 
			cout << "."; 
		} 
	} 
	cout << endl; 

	cout << "Subnet Mask: " << subnet_Maskvalue << endl; 
	cout << "Usable IP Range: "; 
	for (int i = 0; i < 4; i++) { 
		cout << newnetworkAddress[i]; 
		if (i < 3) { 
			cout << "."; 
		} 
	} 
	cout << " - "; 
	for (int i = 0; i < 4; i++) { 
		cout << broadcastingAddress[i]; 
		if (i < 3) { 
			cout << "."; 
		} 
	} 
	cout << endl; 
} 

// main function 
int main() 
{ 
	string ipAddressvalue, subnet_Maskvalue; 
	cout << "Enter the value of IP Address: "; 
	cin >> ipAddressvalue; 

	cout << "Enter the value of Subnet Mask: "; 
	cin >> subnet_Maskvalue; 
    Subnet(ipAddressvalue, subnet_Maskvalue); 

	return 0; 
}

Output:

Enter the value of IP Address:192.168.11.10
Enter the value of Subnet Mask: 255.244.255.0
The Subnet Details is:
The Network Address is: 92.160.11.1
The Broadcast Address is: 92.171.11.254
Subnet Mask: 255.244.255.0
Usable IP Range: 92.160.11.1 - 92.171.11.254