IP address classes in the IPv4 address space are categorized into five classes: A, B, C, D, and E. Each class has a specific range of IP addresses and serves different purposes. Here is a breakdown of the IP address classes based on the provided search results:
Class A:
- Range: 1.0.0.0 to 127.0.0.0
- Network ID: First octet
- Host ID: Remaining 24 bits
- Supports 126 networks with approximately 16,777,214 hosts per network
Class B:
- Range: 128.0.0.0 to 191.255.0.0
- Network ID: First two octets
- Host ID: Remaining 16 bits
- Allows for 16,382 networks with around 65,534 hosts per network
Class C:
- Range: 192.0.0.0 to 223.255.255.0
- Network ID: First three octets
- Host ID: Last octet
- Supports about 2,097,150 networks with up to 254 hosts per network
Class D:
- Reserved for multicasting purposes, not allocated to hosts
- Used for applications like audio/video streaming and real-time data delivery
Class E:
- Reserved for research purposes, not allocated to hosts for general use
The system of IP address classes was designed based on network size requirements, with Class A catering to large networks, Class C for small local area networks, and Class D and E serving special purposes like multicasting and research respectively. The classes determine the division of bits for network and host parts of an IP address and the number of networks and hosts each class can accommodate.