[Skip to content](https://www.t-mobile.com/home-internet/the-signal/internet-help/guide-to-wifi-subnet-masking-networks#maincontent) [The Signal](https://www.t-mobile.com/home-internet/the-signal) - [All Blogs](https://www.t-mobile.com/home-internet/the-signal/latest) - [Speed](https://www.t-mobile.com/home-internet/the-signal/category/speed) - [Internet Devices](https://www.t-mobile.com/home-internet/the-signal/category/internet-devices) - [ISP](https://www.t-mobile.com/home-internet/the-signal/category/isp) - [Internet Help](https://www.t-mobile.com/home-internet/the-signal/category/internet-help) - [Dialed In](https://www.t-mobile.com/dialed-in/) - [All Blogs](https://www.t-mobile.com/home-internet/the-signal/latest) - [Speed](https://www.t-mobile.com/home-internet/the-signal/category/speed) - [Internet Devices](https://www.t-mobile.com/home-internet/the-signal/category/internet-devices) - [ISP](https://www.t-mobile.com/home-internet/the-signal/category/isp) - [Internet Help](https://www.t-mobile.com/home-internet/the-signal/category/internet-help) - [Dialed In](https://www.t-mobile.com/dialed-in/) 1. [The Signal](https://www.t-mobile.com/home-internet/the-signal) 2. Category:[Internet Help](https://www.t-mobile.com/home-internet/the-signal/category/internet-help) [Internet HelpCategory](https://www.t-mobile.com/home-internet/the-signal/category/internet-help) # 101 Guide To Wi-Fi Subnet Masking Networks Published: April 1, 2024 |5 min read When you hear the term "subnet" or "subnetting", it's usually in a business setting. But with the average number of digital devices in American households reaching a whopping 21 this year1-more and more people are now interested in learning about subnetting their home [Wi-Fi](https://www.t-mobile.com/home-internet/the-signal/internet-devices/what-is-wifi) networks. Here, we'll discuss what it is, why someone might want to do it, and some alternatives that may work just as well for you.  #### Jump to a Section^ 1. [What is subnetting?](https://www.t-mobile.com#1) 2. [What is subnet masking?](https://www.t-mobile.com#2) 3. [Creating multiple "networks" in one](https://www.t-mobile.com#3) 4. [Alternatives to subnetting](https://www.t-mobile.com#4) - Share "101 Guide To Wi-Fi Subnet Masking Networks" on X - Share "101 Guide To Wi-Fi Subnet Masking Networks" on Facebook - Share "101 Guide To Wi-Fi Subnet Masking Networks" on LinkedIn ## __What is subnetting?__ In the past, subnetting was something reserved for an IT person or network administrator who works in a complex environment, like a large office or a data center. La creación de subredes les permitía dividir una gran red informática en subredes más pequeñas y manejables. La creación de subredes tiene muchas ventajas, desde aumentar el rendimiento de la red hasta mejorar la seguridad, entre otras. Imagínalo así: tienes un gran mapa del mundo (red informática) y quieres dividirlo en distintas regiones (subredes) para organizarte y comunicarte mejor. This is similar to what subnetting does for computer networks. ### __Why do it at home?__ There are many reasons why someone would want to do it at home. Here are just a few: - __Boost Security__. Puedes mejorar la seguridad aislando distintos tipos de dispositivos o servicios. Digamos que tienes un montón de dispositivos de IoT personales por ejemplo, como cámaras domésticas, y quieres separarlos de tu computadora de trabajo u otros dispositivos importantes en caso de una vulneración de la seguridad. O puede que tengas muchas visitas en casa y quieras crear una subred independiente para los dispositivos de invitados. This can help protect your main network while still letting your guests access the internet. - __Control Bandwidth__. Subnetting can let you control and manage [bandwidth](https://www.t-mobile.com/home-internet/the-signal/internet-devices/what-is-bandwidth) usage for certain subnets or devices. This can help ensure that those devices or activities don't eat up too much bandwidth and impact your overall Wi-Fi connectivity. - __Isolate Traffic__. Maybe you're a serious [gamer](https://www.t-mobile.com/home-internet/the-signal/speed/what-is-latency-in-gaming) who has a dedicated gaming server at home. Subnetting can separate the server traffic from other devices on the network, so you get the resources and bandwidth you need without interference from other activities. ## __What is subnet masking?__ Before we answer that, let's take a quick look at IP Addresses and how they play a role in all this. When it comes to your home Wi-Fi network, your wireless router (or [gateway](https://www.t-mobile.com/support/home-internet/t-mobile-gateway)) and every device that uses it (think printer, computer, phone, gaming console, home assistants, etc.) share the same identifier. Este se presenta en forma de una dirección de IP (Protocolo de Internet). Esa dirección de IP permite a cada dispositivo comunicarse con otros e intercambiar datos en Internet. Una dirección de IP es una cadena de números únicos separados por puntos. It looks something like this: __123.456.78.90__ Similarly, each subnet is identified by its own network address, called a subnet mask. A subnet mask is a 32-bit number that breaks up an IP address into two parts: - Network bits (which identify the network) - Host bits (which identify the device on the network) It's usually written in dotted-decimal format and looks something like this: __255.255.255.0__ ### __Creating multiple "networks" in one__ As we mentioned, most of us don't think about subnetting our home Wi-Fi networks because our devices are usually set up to automatically get an IP address, and the network is designed to be simple and easy to use. Pero, a medida que la gente sigue acumulando grandes cantidades de dispositivos y trabaja desde casa, mantener los dispositivos en redes separadas se está haciendo cada vez más habitual. Keep in mind: unless you have a special kind of [router](https://www.t-mobile.com/home-internet/the-signal/internet-help/difference-between-modem-router), it may not even be possible to create multiple subnets. Incluso si es posible, esto no siempre es tan sencillo como parece, ya que las cosas pueden complicarse si no se hace correctamente. In most cases, creating subnet masks may be best left to the pros or to the very tech savvy. ### __Alternatives to subnetting__ Here are a few other options that are much simpler and may work just as well for your needs: - __Guest Networks__. Podrías configurar fácilmente una red segura para invitados que no sea para invitados en absoluto. Muchas personas crean una para utilizarla como red designada para todos los dispositivos que quieren mantener separados de, por ejemplo, los equipos de su oficina en casa. There's a great how-to article about [setting up a guest Wi-Fi network](https://www.t-mobile.com/home-internet/the-signal/speed/setting-up-guest-wi-fi-network). - __VLANs__. Abreviatura de "red de área local virtual", esta tecnología permite dividir una red doméstica en segmentos mediante conmutadores económicos. Mucha gente las utiliza para aislar dispositivos de IoT, como electrodomésticos inteligentes, cámaras, sistemas de seguridad y mucho más. The good news is these switches are [compatible with many wireless home gateways](https://www.t-mobile.com/support/home-internet/connect#third-party-equipment) and routers. - __Repeaters, Extenders and Mesh__. Si la conectividad es la fuerza motriz de tu interés por la división en subredes, hay muchas soluciones que pueden ayudarte a aumentar la velocidad y eliminar las zonas sin señal de tu casa. You can read more about it [here](https://www.t-mobile.com/home-internet/the-signal/speed/whole-home-wi-fi-repeaters-extenders-or-mesh). Sources: 1. [https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/deloitte-the-connected-consumer-paradox---desire-for-fewer-devices-vs-more-virtual-experiences-and-technology-innovation-301919928.html](https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/deloitte-the-connected-consumer-paradox---desire-for-fewer-devices-vs-more-virtual-experiences-and-technology-innovation-301919928.html#:~:text=Households%20have%20an%20average%20of,and%20subscriptions%20is%20%22overwhelming.%22) Additional Sources: - [https://www.gartner.com/en/information-technology/glossary/ip-address-internet-protocol-address](https://www.gartner.com/en/information-technology/glossary/ip-address-internet-protocol-address) - [https://www.calculator.net/ip-subnet-calculator.html](https://www.calculator.net/ip-subnet-calculator.html) - [https://www.cbtnuggets.com/blog/technology/networking/how-to-set-up-multiple-s](https://www.cbtnuggets.com/blog/technology/networking/how-to-set-up-multiple-subnets)[ubnets](https://www.cbtnuggets.com/blog/technology/networking/how-to-set-up-multiple-subnets) - [https://youtu.be/mJ\_5qeqGO](https://youtu.be/mJ_5qeqGOaI)[aI](https://youtu.be/mJ_5qeqGOaI) - [https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/windows-server/networking/technologies/dhcp/dhcp-top](https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/windows-server/networking/technologies/dhcp/dhcp-top) - [https://www.digitalcitizen.life/change-subnet-mask-windows-10](https://www.digitalcitizen.life/change-subnet-mask-windows-10/#:~:text=On%20the%20router's%20web%20admin,Apply%2C%20Save%2C%20or%20OK.) - [https://kb.netgear.com/24720/What-is-a-](https://kb.netgear.com/24720/What-is-a-VLAN)[VLAN](https://kb.netgear.com/24720/What-is-a-VLAN) Tags - [Security](https://www.t-mobile.com/home-internet/the-signal/archive/security) - [VPN](https://www.t-mobile.com/home-internet/the-signal/archive/vpn) - [Wi-Fi](https://www.t-mobile.com/home-internet/the-signal/archive/wi-fi) ## Related Articles NEW [Read More](https://www.t-mobile.com/home-internet/the-signal/internet-help/what-is-antivirus) [](https://www.t-mobile.com/home-internet/the-signal/internet-help/what-is-antivirus) [Internet Help](https://www.t-mobile.com/home-internet/the-signal/category/internet-help) ## [What is Antivirus? A Simple Guide to Antivirus Software](https://www.t-mobile.com/home-internet/the-signal/internet-help/what-is-antivirus) June 23, 2026 NEW [Read More](https://www.t-mobile.com/home-internet/the-signal/internet-connection/self-install-internet) [](https://www.t-mobile.com/home-internet/the-signal/internet-connection/self-install-internet) [Internet Connection](https://www.t-mobile.com/home-internet/the-signal/category/internet-connection) ## [Self-Install Internet: What It Is, How It Works, and Key Benefits](https://www.t-mobile.com/home-internet/the-signal/internet-connection/self-install-internet) June 16, 2026 NEW [Read More](https://www.t-mobile.com/home-internet/the-signal/speed/ethernet-vs-wifi) [](https://www.t-mobile.com/home-internet/the-signal/speed/ethernet-vs-wifi) [Speed](https://www.t-mobile.com/home-internet/the-signal/category/speed) ## [Ethernet vs. Wi-Fi: Which Connection is Best for You?](https://www.t-mobile.com/home-internet/the-signal/speed/ethernet-vs-wifi) April 29, 2026 ### Find out if your home address is eligible for T-Mobile 5G Home Internet. [Check availability](https://www.t-mobile.com/home-internet/eligibility) Top