Supernets and discontiguous networks

Mark Knutson

So, trying to get my mind around the way IOS takes subnets and creates a classful parent network which can be seen in the routing table. I am referring to the maintenance of parent/child routes and designating some as ultimate routes.

I am wondering what purpose this multi-layering serves, as the longest match process would send the packets to the appropriate subnet interface anyway. Any ideas? Thanks.