What is the default subnet mask for a Class B IP Address?

The default subnet mask for a Class B IP Address is 255.255.0.0. This classification stems from the way IP addresses are structured, where Class B addresses are identified by their first two octets. In Class B, the first octet ranges from 128 to 191, allowing for a larger network size compared to Class A, which has a default subnet mask of 255.0.0.0.

The default subnet mask of 255.255.0.0 signifies that the first two octets (the first 16 bits) are used to identify the network portion of the address, while the remaining two octets (the last 16 bits) are available for host addresses within that network. This provides the capacity for a significant number of hosts, which is one of the characteristics that makes Class B suitable for medium to large organizations.

The other options present different subnet masks that are applicable to different classes of IP addresses or specific configurations, but they do not represent the default subnet mask for Class B specifically.