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Can’t Plan IP Addresses as a Network Engineer? That’s Embarrassing

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Many people entering the network engineering profession first encounter not switch deployment or router configuration, but IP address allocation. Strangely, whether in projects or forums, countless people get confused when facing the question of “how to allocate IP addresses”—especially those working on surveillance or enterprise networks, who are at a loss when dealing with multi-device and large network segments.

 

This article focuses on the basic skill of network engineers: how to reasonably plan IP addresses.

Why is IP Address Planning Important?

Let’s start with a basic logic:

 

  • Unreasonable IP planning → IP conflicts + network chaos + nightmarish maintenance
  • Clear IP planning → issues identifiable at a glance + easy troubleshooting + hassle-free expansion

 

Small projects with dozens of cameras or computers might seem unaffected—you could even use 192.168.1.X for all devices. But in large projects like hundreds of surveillance cameras, multi-building equipment, or campus networks, poor IP planning will quickly make you regret it.

Case Study: How to Allocate IPs for 300 Surveillance Points?

Take a factory surveillance project as an example:

 

  • 300 cameras total
  • Divided into 4 zones:
    • Zone A: 70 cameras
    • Zone B: 70 cameras
    • Zone C: 80 cameras
    • Zone D: 80 cameras
  • Requirement: All devices on an internal network, connected via optical fiber trunks and zone switches.

 

There are two mainstream IP allocation approaches:

Solution 1: No VLAN, One Large Network Segment

Place all devices in a super network segment, e.g.:

 

  • Network: 192.168.0.0/23 (subnet mask 255.255.254.0)
  • Available IPs: 192.168.0.1 to 192.168.1.254
  • Total available: 510 IPs—more than enough for 300 devices.

 

Drawbacks:

 

  • Excessive broadcasts: All devices in one broadcast domain, prone to network storms.
  • Difficult troubleshooting: No clear mapping of IPs to zones.
  • Poor scalability: Easy IP conflicts when adding devices.

 

Simple but not recommended for complex, large-scale projects.

Solution 2: Segmented Networks + VLANs, Independent Zones

Recommended approach: Use a core switch to create multiple VLANs, each zone with its own subnet.

 

  • Each zone supports up to 254 IPs, covering current devices with expansion room.

 

Advantages:

 

  • IP segments clearly identify zones at a glance.
  • Batch pinging quickly locates offline devices.
  • Prevents IP conflicts.
  • Simplifies long-term maintenance.

 

For larger projects, use 192.168.X.0/23 or larger private segments (e.g., 10.X.X.X) for flexibility and resource efficiency.

Universal Tips for IP Address Planning

Here are practical formulas to follow:

1. Allocate by Physical Zones

  • Office buildings: By floor
  • Industrial parks: By functional areas
  • Cameras: By building or functional points

 

Example for a school network:

 

  • Teaching Building 1: 192.168.10.0/24
  • Teaching Building 2: 192.168.11.0/24
  • Dormitory A: 192.168.20.0/24
  • Dormitory B: 192.168.21.0/24

2. Standardize Gateway Addresses

Adopt a convention, e.g., use .1 as the gateway (e.g., 192.168.10.1), making it easy to remember.

3. Reserve a Spare IP Pool

Allocate user IPs (e.g., 1-120) and reserve 121-254 for future devices.

4. Documentation! Documentation! Documentation!

Maintain an IP allocation table—never rely solely on memory. At minimum, use an Excel sheet listing:
| Device Type | Zone | IP Address | MAC Address | Purpose |

Final Thoughts

IP address planning may seem simple, but its importance grows with project scale. Poor planning makes you a laborer; good planning makes you an architect.

 

Develop standardized planning habits even for small projects. Even when setting up a home network, avoid dumping all devices in 192.168.1.1-254—practice subnetting. The skills you build today will pay off in career growth tomorrow.
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