Which of the following is a characteristic of a Class C IP address?

Which of the following is a characteristic of a Class C IP address?

• A. It has a default subnet mask of 255.0.0.0.
• B. It has a default subnet mask of 255.255.0.0.
• C. It has a default subnet mask of 255.255.255.0.
• D. It is used for large organizations.

Answer: (C)

A Class C IP address is specifically designed for smaller networks, and its characteristics reflect this purpose. The default subnet mask for a Class C address is 255.255.255.0. This subnet mask allows for 256 IP addresses in a subnet (0-255), of which 254 can be assigned to devices. The range of Class C addresses spans from 192.0.0.0 to 223.255.255.255, making them ideal for small to medium-sized organizations needing a limited number of IP addresses. The selected answer is correct because it accurately defines the default subnet mask that Class C addresses use, which is essential for properly routing and managing smaller networks. Understanding the default subnet mask is crucial for network design and IP address allocation, ensuring effective communication within the network infrastructure. In contrast, other options characterize different classes of IP addresses. Class A addresses, for example, utilize a default subnet mask of 255.0.0.0, allowing for a vast number of hosts, while Class B addresses use 255.255.0.0, which accommodates medium-sized networks. Class C's specification is distinct in its focus on smaller networks, making the chosen answer the only accurate representation of its characteristics.

A Class C IP address is specifically designed for smaller networks, and its characteristics reflect this purpose. The default subnet mask for a Class C address is 255.255.255.0. This subnet mask allows for 256 IP addresses in a subnet (0-255), of which 254 can be assigned to devices. The range of Class C addresses spans from 192.0.0.0 to 223.255.255.255, making them ideal for small to medium-sized organizations needing a limited number of IP addresses.

The selected answer is correct because it accurately defines the default subnet mask that Class C addresses use, which is essential for properly routing and managing smaller networks. Understanding the default subnet mask is crucial for network design and IP address allocation, ensuring effective communication within the network infrastructure.

In contrast, other options characterize different classes of IP addresses. Class A addresses, for example, utilize a default subnet mask of 255.0.0.0, allowing for a vast number of hosts, while Class B addresses use 255.255.0.0, which accommodates medium-sized networks. Class C's specification is distinct in its focus on smaller networks, making the chosen answer the only accurate representation of its characteristics.