What does the Automatic Private IP Addressing (APIPA) range cover?

The correct answer identifies the Automatic Private IP Addressing (APIPA) range as 169.254.0.0 to 169.254.255.255. APIPA is a feature in Windows operating systems that allows a device on a local network to automatically assign itself an IP address in this range when a DHCP server is not available and the device cannot receive an IP address from any DHCP service.

When a device uses APIPA, it generates an IP address from this specific range, allowing the device to communicate with other devices within the same subnet that also use APIPA. This is crucial for small networks without a dedicated DHCP server, as it facilitates basic connectivity.

The other ranges mentioned are designated for private IP addresses that different networks may use, but they do not pertain to APIPA specifically. The ranges 10.0.0.0 to 10.255.255.255, 172.16.0.0 to 172.31.255.255, and 192.168.0.0 to 192.168.255.255 are all reserved for use within private networks and require configuration, either manually or through a DHCP server, rather than automatic assignment like APIPA.