A subnet mask of 255.255.255.255 is equivalent to which CIDR notation?

A subnet mask of 255.255.255.255 is equivalent to which CIDR notation?

• A. /30
• B. /31
• C. /32
• D. /29

Answer: (C)

The subnet mask of 255.255.255.255 corresponds to CIDR notation /32. This notation indicates that all 32 bits of the address are used for the network portion, leaving no bits for host addresses. A /32 subnet mask is often used in point-to-point links, where the interface has an IP address that is not intended to host additional addresses, essentially identifying a single unique host. In contrast, other CIDR notations represent a different number of usable addresses for hosts. For example, /30 allows for 4 addresses (2 usable hosts), /31 allows for 2 addresses (typically for point-to-point links with no usable hosts), and /29 provides 8 addresses (6 usable hosts). Therefore, /32 is distinctly used for a single host, establishing its equivalence to the subnet mask 255.255.255.255.

The subnet mask of 255.255.255.255 corresponds to CIDR notation /32. This notation indicates that all 32 bits of the address are used for the network portion, leaving no bits for host addresses. A /32 subnet mask is often used in point-to-point links, where the interface has an IP address that is not intended to host additional addresses, essentially identifying a single unique host.

In contrast, other CIDR notations represent a different number of usable addresses for hosts. For example, /30 allows for 4 addresses (2 usable hosts), /31 allows for 2 addresses (typically for point-to-point links with no usable hosts), and /29 provides 8 addresses (6 usable hosts). Therefore, /32 is distinctly used for a single host, establishing its equivalence to the subnet mask 255.255.255.255.