What is the default subnet mask for a Class A address?

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Multiple Choice

What is the default subnet mask for a Class A address?

Explanation:
In classful IPv4 addressing, each address class has a predefined default subnet mask that determines which part of the address identifies the network versus the hosts. For Class A, the first octet represents the network while the remaining three octets identify hosts, so 8 bits for the network and 24 bits for hosts. This makes the default subnet mask 255.0.0.0 (binary 11111111.00000000.00000000.00000000), allowing about 16 million hosts within one Class A network. The value 255.255.255.255 is not a subnet mask; it’s the limited broadcast address used to reach all hosts on the local network. The other masks correspond to Class B and Class C defaults, which are not correct for Class A.

In classful IPv4 addressing, each address class has a predefined default subnet mask that determines which part of the address identifies the network versus the hosts. For Class A, the first octet represents the network while the remaining three octets identify hosts, so 8 bits for the network and 24 bits for hosts. This makes the default subnet mask 255.0.0.0 (binary 11111111.00000000.00000000.00000000), allowing about 16 million hosts within one Class A network. The value 255.255.255.255 is not a subnet mask; it’s the limited broadcast address used to reach all hosts on the local network. The other masks correspond to Class B and Class C defaults, which are not correct for Class A.

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