Which Three IPV4 Network Addresses Are Private IP Addresses? (Choose Three.)

Private IPv4 addresses are used within local networks and are not routable on the internet. The three common private IP ranges are 10.0.0.0/8, 172.16.0.0/12, and 192.168.0.0/16. These ensure internal communication. For more network exam prep, visit Study4Pass for reliable resources and guides.

Tech Professionals

16 April 2025

Cisco

Which Three IPV4 Network Addresses Are Private IP Addresses? (Choose Three.)

Introduction

In the world of networking, understanding IP addressing is fundamental. Among the key concepts is distinguishing between public and private IPv4 addresses. For aspiring network professionals preparing for exams like CCNA (200-301), CCDA, CCENT, CCNA Security, and CCNA Wireless, knowing which IPv4 addresses are private is crucial.

This article will explore:

What are Private IPv4 Addresses?
The Three Private IPv4 Address Ranges
Why Private IP Addresses Are Used
How NAT (Network Address Translation) Works with Private IPs
Exam Tips for CCNA and Related Certifications
Why Study4Pass is the Best Resource for Cisco Certification Preparation

By the end, you will have a clear understanding of private IPv4 addressing and how it applies to real-world networking and certification exams.

What Are Private IPv4 Addresses?

Private IPv4 addresses are reserved IP ranges that are not routable on the public internet. They are used within private networks (such as home, office, or enterprise networks) to allow multiple devices to communicate internally without requiring a unique public IP for each device.

The Internet Assigned Numbers Authority (IANA) has designated specific IPv4 address ranges exclusively for private use. These addresses can be reused across different private networks without conflict since they never appear on the public internet.

The Three Private IPv4 Address Ranges

According to RFC 1918, the following three IPv4 address ranges are reserved for private networks:

Class A: 10.0.0.0 to 10.255.255.255
- Subnet Mask: 255.0.0.0 (/8)
- Provides over 16 million unique IP addresses.
- Commonly used in large enterprises.
Class B: 172.16.0.0 to 172.31.255.255
- Subnet Mask: 255.240.0.0 (/12)
- Offers 1,048,576 unique IP addresses.
- Often used in medium-sized organizations.
Class C: 192.168.0.0 to 192.168.255.255
- Subnet Mask: 255.255.0.0 (/16)
- Provides 65,536 unique IP addresses.
- Most common in home networks and small businesses.

Why These Ranges Are Important for CCNA Exams?

Cisco certification exams, including CCNA (200-301), CCENT, and CCNA Security, frequently test candidates on private IP ranges. You may encounter questions like:

"Which three IPv4 network addresses are private IP addresses? (Choose three.)"

The correct answer would be:

10.0.0.0/8
172.16.0.0/12
192.168.0.0/16

Memorizing these ranges is essential for both exams and real-world networking.

Why Are Private IP Addresses Used?

1. IPv4 Address Exhaustion Mitigation

The IPv4 address space is limited (only ~4.3 billion addresses). Private addressing allows organizations to reuse the same IP ranges internally without consuming public IPs.

2. Enhanced Security

Since private IPs are not directly accessible from the internet, they provide an additional layer of security. Devices behind a private network are shielded from direct external attacks.

3. Cost Efficiency

Purchasing public IPs for every device is expensive. Private addressing reduces costs by allowing many devices to share a single public IP via NAT (Network Address Translation).

How NAT (Network Address Translation) Works with Private IPs?

Since private IPs cannot route over the internet, NAT is used to translate them into public IPs when accessing external networks.

Types of NAT:

Static NAT: One-to-one mapping (a private IP is permanently mapped to a public IP).
Dynamic NAT: A pool of public IPs is shared among multiple private IPs.
PAT (Port Address Translation) / NAT Overload: Multiple private IPs share a single public IP using different port numbers (common in home routers).

Example Scenario:

A device with 192.168.1.10 (private IP) wants to access Google.
The router translates this to its public IP (e.g., 203.0.113.5) before sending the request.
Google responds to the public IP, and the router forwards the response back to 192.168.1.10.

This process allows seamless internet access while conserving public IPv4 addresses.

Exam Tips for CCNA and Related Certifications

When preparing for CCNA 200-301, CCDA, CCENT, or CCNA Security, keep these key points in mind:

1. Memorize the Private IP Ranges

10.0.0.0/8
172.16.0.0/12
192.168.0.0/16

2. Understand NAT and Its Types

Be able to differentiate between Static NAT, Dynamic NAT, and PAT.
Know how NAT helps in conserving IPv4 addresses.

3. Recognize Invalid Private IPs

Any IP outside the three private ranges is public (unless otherwise reserved). For example:

11.0.0.1 → Public (Not private)
172.32.0.1 → Public (Not in 172.16.0.0/12)

4. Practice Subnetting

Since private IPs follow standard subnetting rules, mastering subnetting will help in both exams and real-world configurations.

Why Choose Study4Pass for CCNA and Cisco Certification Preparation?

Preparing for CCNA, CCDA, CCENT, CCNA Security, or CCNA Wireless requires high-quality study materials and practice exams. Study4Pass is a trusted platform that offers:

1. Comprehensive Study Guides

Detailed explanations of networking concepts, including private IP addressing, NAT, and subnetting.
Structured learning paths for different Cisco certifications.

2. Real Exam-like Practice Questions

Simulated test environments to help you get familiar with the exam format.
Instant feedback and explanations for each question.

3. Up-to-Date Content

Regularly updated materials to align with the latest Cisco exam blueprints.

4. Expert Support

Access to networking professionals for doubt clarification.

By using Study4Pass, you can confidently prepare for your Cisco Certification exams and gain the knowledge needed for real-world networking scenarios.

Final Words

Understanding private IPv4 addresses is a fundamental aspect of networking and a key topic in CCNA (200-301), CCDA, CCENT, CCNA Security, and CCNA Wireless exams. The three private IP ranges 10.0.0.0/8, 172.16.0.0/12, and 192.168.0.0/16 are essential for internal network communication and are conserved using NAT for internet access.

For aspiring network professionals, mastering these concepts is crucial. Platforms like Study4Pass provide the best resources to prepare effectively for Cisco certification exams, ensuring success in both tests and real-world networking careers.

Start your journey today with Study4Pass and take the first step toward becoming a certified networking expert!