What is the default subnet mask for a Class C IP address?

The default subnet mask for a Class C IP address is 255.255.255.0. Class C addresses are designated for smaller networks and typically support up to 256 IP addresses within that subnet, including the network and broadcast addresses.

A subnet mask helps in determining which portion of the IP address represents the network and which part represents the host. In the case of a Class C address with a subnet mask of 255.255.255.0, the first three octets (the 255s) define the network, while the last octet (the 0) indicates that there are 256 possible host addresses available (from 0 to 255), with 1 address reserved for the network and 1 for the broadcast. This is efficient for small to medium-sized networks, allowing effective segmentation and management of IP addresses.

Using this default subnet mask allows network administrators to easily manage and configure their networks, making it a fundamental concept in networking.