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. This subnet mask allows for a maximum of 256 IP addresses in the network (0 to 255), with 254 usable addresses for hosts, since the first address is reserved for the network and the last for the broadcast address.

Class C addresses are utilized primarily for smaller networks, and the 255.255.255.0 mask supports up to 256 total addresses which is typically sufficient for small to medium-sized organizations. When configuring routers or other network devices, using the default subnet mask helps in simplifying the assignment and management of IP address allocation within that subnet.

On the other hand, the other options represent subnet masks for different classes of IP addresses. For example, 255.0.0.0 is the default for Class A addresses, while 255.255.0.0 is used for Class B addresses. The option 255.255.255.255 is a broadcast address, not a subnet mask, and is used for broadcasting packets to all devices on the local network. Thus, the correct choice clearly aligns with the characteristics and default settings of Class C addressing.