Address Classes

The address class describes in that bits are used for the network ID and that bits are used for the Host ID's. It also describes the possible number of networks and the number of hosts per network the internet community has described three address classes based on the network size.

There are three address classes that are as given below:

Class A Address class

Class A addresses are assigned to networks within an extremely large number of hosts. The high order bit in a class. The network is always set to zero. The next seven bits (finishing the first octet) did the networkID. After that the remaining 24 bits (which from the last three octet) represent the hostID. There could be a maximum of 126 networks and around 17 million hosts per network in a class A address class.

Specification:

Class B Address Class

Class B addresses are assigned to medium-sized to large-sized networks. The two high-order bits in a class B network are always set to binary 10.The next 14 bits done the networkID. After that the remaining 16 bits represent the host ID. There could be a maximum of 16,384 networks and around 65000 hosts per network in class B address class.

Specification:

Class C Address Class

Class   C   networks   are   used   for   small   local   area   networks. The   three   high-order   bits   in class C networks   are   always   set   to   binary   110. The   next   21   bits   done   the   networkID.   After that the   remaining   8   bits represent   the   hostID.   There   could   be   maximum   of   around   2   million   networks and   254   hosts   per network in class C address class.

Specification: