IPv4 Address Classes

  • IPv4 Classfull Address is the address with the default mask.

  • Classless Address (CIDR) is the address with any other mask but not the default mask.

  • Classfull Address was used from 1981 until the introduction of Classless Addresses (CIDR) in 1993.

    Classfull Addresses were divided into 5 Classes:

  • Class A - used for Unicast Traffic

  • Class B - used for Unicast Traffic

  • Class C - used for Unicast Traffic

  • Class D - used for Multicast Traffic

  • Class E - Reserved for future/experimental purposes.

  • Class A, B & C were used to accommodate different sizes of Networks which aided in the classifications of the Networks.

  • Addresses Classes are determined & allocated by the IANA.

Reference:

PreviousIPv4 Address partsNextIPv6:

Last updated