CompTIA Network+ Practice Test

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Study for the CompTIA Network+ Exam. Enhance your skills with flashcards and multiple choice questions, each with explanations. Prepare effectively for your certification exam!

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How many bits are used for the network address in a Class A IP address?

16 bits
24 bits
8 bits
32 bits

The correct answer is: 8 bits

In a Class A IP address, the structure of the address is such that the first octet, which consists of 8 bits, is used to identify the network. Class A addresses range from 1.0.0.0 to 126.0.0.0, and the first bit of the first octet is always set to 0, which allows for a large number of possible Class A networks. This means that while the entire address is 32 bits long, only the initial 8 bits are dedicated to the network portion, while the remaining 24 bits are used for host addresses within that network. This distinguishing feature allows Class A networks to support a vast number of hosts, making them suitable for very large organizations. The other options incorrectly suggest a larger or smaller allocation for the network address in Class A. For instance, 16 bits and 24 bits would suggest a different classification that does not apply to Class A. A total of 32 bits pertains to the entire IPv4 address rather than just the network portion.