A network administrator is adding a new LAN to a branch office. What is the smallest network mask that can support 10 connected devices?

A network administrator is adding a new LAN to a branch office. What is the smallest network mask that can support 10 connected devices?

• A. 255.255.255.0
• B. 255.255.255.128
• C. 255.255.255.240
• D. 255.255.255.254

Answer: (C)

The smallest network mask that can support 10 connected devices is 255.255.255.240, which corresponds to a subnet with a /28 prefix. This subnet allows for a total of 16 IP addresses (2^4 = 16), as there are 4 bits available for host addresses. Out of these 16 addresses, 2 are reserved: one for the network address and one for the broadcast address. This leaves 14 usable IP addresses for hosts in the subnet, which is more than sufficient to accommodate the 10 connected devices required. Understanding subnetting is crucial for efficient IP address allocation. Using a subnet mask of 255.255.255.240, the network administrator can efficiently group devices while minimizing wasted IP addresses. In contrast, the other subnet masks either provide too many addresses for the requirement or do not meet the minimum necessary: - The 255.255.255.0 mask offers 256 addresses (254 usable), which is excessive for just 10 devices. - The 255.255.255.128 mask provides 128 addresses (126 usable), also more than required. - The 255.255.255.254 mask offers only 2 addresses (1 usable), which cannot

The smallest network mask that can support 10 connected devices is 255.255.255.240, which corresponds to a subnet with a /28 prefix. This subnet allows for a total of 16 IP addresses (2^4 = 16), as there are 4 bits available for host addresses.

Out of these 16 addresses, 2 are reserved: one for the network address and one for the broadcast address. This leaves 14 usable IP addresses for hosts in the subnet, which is more than sufficient to accommodate the 10 connected devices required.

Understanding subnetting is crucial for efficient IP address allocation. Using a subnet mask of 255.255.255.240, the network administrator can efficiently group devices while minimizing wasted IP addresses.

In contrast, the other subnet masks either provide too many addresses for the requirement or do not meet the minimum necessary:

• The 255.255.255.0 mask offers 256 addresses (254 usable), which is excessive for just 10 devices.

• The 255.255.255.128 mask provides 128 addresses (126 usable), also more than required.

• The 255.255.255.254 mask offers only 2 addresses (1 usable), which cannot