Explain the process of subnetting and supernetting in the TCP/IP Protocol.

Subnetting and supernetting are techniques used in the TCP/IP protocol to divide and aggregate IP addresses, respectively.

Subnetting is the process of dividing a large network into smaller subnetworks, known as subnets. This is done by borrowing bits from the host portion of the IP address and allocating them to the network portion. By doing so, a single network can be divided into multiple smaller networks, each with its own unique network address.

The process of subnetting involves the following steps:
1. Determine the number of subnets required: This is based on the number of different networks needed within the larger network.
2. Determine the number of hosts required per subnet: This is based on the number of devices that will be connected to each subnet.
3. Choose the appropriate subnet mask: The subnet mask determines the size of the network portion and the host portion of the IP address. It is represented by a series of binary 1s followed by binary 0s.
4. Calculate the subnet address range: This involves determining the network address and the range of valid host addresses for each subnet.

Supernetting, on the other hand, is the process of aggregating multiple smaller networks into a larger network. It allows for efficient utilization of IP addresses by reducing the number of routing table entries required in routers.

The process of supernetting involves the following steps:
1. Identify the smaller networks to be aggregated: These networks should have contiguous network addresses.
2. Determine the supernet mask: The supernet mask is a single mask that covers all the smaller networks being aggregated. It is chosen based on the number of smaller networks being combined.
3. Calculate the supernet address range: This involves determining the network address and the range of valid host addresses for the supernet.

Both subnetting and supernetting are important techniques in TCP/IP networking as they allow for efficient allocation and utilization of IP addresses, as well as improved routing efficiency.