IPv4 Address Class Ranges

IPv4 addresses are divided into five classes, each with a specific range and purpose. Here are the details:

Class A:

• Range: 1.0.0.0 to 126.0.0.0
• Purpose: Designed for very large networks.
• Private Range: 10.0.0.0 to 10.255.255.2551.

Class B:

• Range: 128.0.0.0 to 191.255.0.0
• Purpose: Suitable for medium-sized networks.
• Private Range: 172.16.0.0 to 172.31.255.2551.

Class C:

• Range: 192.0.0.0 to 223.255.255.0
• Purpose: Used for small networks.
• Private Range: 192.168.0.0 to 192.168.255.2551.

Class D:

• Range: 224.0.0.0 to 239.255.255.255
• Purpose: Reserved for multicast groups.

Class E:

• Range: 240.0.0.0 to 255.255.255.255
• Purpose: Reserved for experimental use.

These classes help organize and allocate IP addresses efficiently across different types of networks.

You can use Class A, B, or C on your internal network regardless of its size. These are just recommendations.

This is covered in A+, Network+, and Server+.