- A
169.254.1.1
Why wrong: This is an APIPA address used when DHCP fails. It is not part of the private ranges defined by RFC 1918.
- B
172.32.1.1
Why wrong: 172.32.1.1 is not within the 172.16.0.0/12 private range (which ends at 172.31.255.255). It is a public address.
- C
192.168.1.1
192.168.1.1 belongs to the 192.168.0.0/16 private address range, commonly used in home and small business networks.
- D
172.15.1.1
Why wrong: 172.15.1.1 is below the 172.16.0.0/12 range and is a public IP address.
N10-009 Practice Question: RFC 1918 defines three private IP address ranges.
This N10-009 practice question tests your understanding of networking concepts. Read the scenario carefully and evaluate each option against the stated constraints before committing to an answer. A key principle to apply: rFC 1918 defines three private IP address ranges.. Once you have made your selection, read the full explanation to reinforce the concept and understand why each distractor is designed to mislead on exam day.
Which of the following IP addresses is a private IP address as defined by RFC 1918?
Answer choices
Why each option matters
Answer the question above first, then reveal the full breakdown to understand why each option is right or wrong.
Correct answer & explanation
192.168.1.1
Option C (192.168.1.1) is correct because RFC 1918 reserves the 192.168.0.0/16 block (192.168.0.0 – 192.168.255.255) for private use within local networks. This address is not routable on the public internet, making it suitable for internal LAN addressing.
Key principle: RFC 1918 defines three private IP address ranges.
Answer analysis
Option-by-option breakdown
For each option: why learners choose it and why it is or isn't the right answer here.
- ✗
169.254.1.1
Why it's wrong here
This is an APIPA address used when DHCP fails. It is not part of the private ranges defined by RFC 1918.
- ✗
172.32.1.1
Why it's wrong here
172.32.1.1 is not within the 172.16.0.0/12 private range (which ends at 172.31.255.255). It is a public address.
- ✓
192.168.1.1
Why this is correct
192.168.1.1 belongs to the 192.168.0.0/16 private address range, commonly used in home and small business networks.
Related concept
RFC 1918 defines three private IP address ranges.
- ✗
172.15.1.1
Why it's wrong here
172.15.1.1 is below the 172.16.0.0/12 range and is a public IP address.
Common exam traps
Common exam trap: answer the scenario, not the keyword
The trap here is that candidates often remember 172.x.x.x as private but forget the specific range (172.16.0.0/12), leading them to select 172.32.1.1 or 172.15.1.1, both of which are public addresses.
Detailed technical explanation
How to think about this question
RFC 1918 defines three private IPv4 address blocks: 10.0.0.0/8, 172.16.0.0/12, and 192.168.0.0/16. The 172.16.0.0/12 block spans from 172.16.0.0 to 172.31.255.255, meaning only addresses where the second octet is between 16 and 31 inclusive are private; 172.32.1.1 and 172.15.1.1 fall outside this range. In real-world scenarios, misconfiguring a router with a non-private RFC 1918 address can cause routing loops or internet unreachability if the address is actually public and routable.
KKey Concepts to Remember
- RFC 1918 defines three private IP address ranges.
- Private IP addresses are not routable on the public internet.
- The 192.168.0.0/16 range is a common private IP address block.
- The 172.16.0.0/12 range spans from 172.16.0.0 to 172.31.255.255.
TExam Day Tips
- Watch for words such as best, first, most likely and least administrative effort.
- Review why wrong options are wrong, not only why the correct option is correct.
Key takeaway
RFC 1918 defines three private IP address ranges.
Real-world example
How this comes up in practice
A practitioner preparing for the N10-009 exam encounters this exact type of scenario on the job. The correct answer here is not the most general option — it is the best answer for the specific constraint described. RFC 1918 defines three private IP address ranges. Real exam questions reward reading the full scenario before eliminating options, because the constraint defines which answer fits.
What to study next
Got this wrong? Here's your next step.
Review rFC 1918 defines three private IP address ranges., then practise related N10-009 questions on the same topic to reinforce the concept.
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FAQ
Questions learners often ask
What does this N10-009 question test?
Networking Concepts — This question tests Networking Concepts — RFC 1918 defines three private IP address ranges..
What is the correct answer to this question?
The correct answer is: 192.168.1.1 — Option C (192.168.1.1) is correct because RFC 1918 reserves the 192.168.0.0/16 block (192.168.0.0 – 192.168.255.255) for private use within local networks. This address is not routable on the public internet, making it suitable for internal LAN addressing.
What should I do if I get this N10-009 question wrong?
Review rFC 1918 defines three private IP address ranges., then practise related N10-009 questions on the same topic to reinforce the concept.
What is the key concept behind this question?
RFC 1918 defines three private IP address ranges.
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Last reviewed: Jun 11, 2026
This N10-009 practice question is part of Courseiva's free CompTIA certification practice question bank. Courseiva provides original exam-style practice questions with explanations, topic-based practice, mock exams, readiness tracking, and study analytics to help learners prepare for the N10-009 exam.
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