- A
203.0.113.1 to 203.0.113.14
Why wrong: These are public IPs from the ISP's block, not private IPs; they should be used for the router's WAN interface, not internal devices.
- B
10.0.0.0/8
Why wrong: 10.0.0.0/8 is a private range but is far too large for 30 devices; it would work but is not the most appropriate choice for a small office.
- C
192.168.1.0/24
192.168.1.0/24 is a private range that provides 254 usable addresses, ideal for a small office with 30 devices.
- D
172.16.0.0/12
Why wrong: 172.16.0.0/12 is a private range but is typically used for larger networks; it is less common for small offices and is not the most appropriate.
Question 799 of 1,020
Choosing a Private IP Range for 30 Devices: 192.168.1.0/24 is Ideal
This 220-1201 practice question tests your understanding of ip addressing. Compare every option against the stated constraints before choosing — the best answer satisfies all requirements, not just the most obvious one. After answering, compare your reasoning against the explanation and wrong-answer breakdown below. 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.
A technician is setting up a new branch office and needs to assign IPs to 30 devices. The ISP provided a public IP block of 203.0.113.0/28. The technician decides to use private IPs internally and NAT. Which of the following is the most appropriate private IP range for this network?
Quick Answer
The correct choice is 192.168.1.0/24 because it provides 254 usable private IP addresses, which comfortably supports 30 devices while leaving room for growth, and it falls within the 192.168.0.0/16 private range defined by RFC 1918. The /24 subnet mask is ideal for small office networks like this one, as it offers a simple, standard configuration that avoids the waste of larger ranges like 10.0.0.0/8. On the CompTIA A+ Core 1 220-1201 exam, this question tests your ability to match subnet size to device count and to distinguish private IP ranges from the public /28 block used for the WAN interface—a common trap is confusing the ISP’s public subnet with the internal private network. Remember that 192.168.x.x is the go-to for home and small office LANs, while 10.x.x.x is reserved for larger enterprise networks. A handy memory tip: “192 starts small, 10 is for the big show.”
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
✓
192.168.1.0/24
Option C (192.168.1.0/24) is correct because it provides a private IP range (per RFC 1918) that supports up to 254 hosts, which is more than sufficient for 30 devices. The /28 public block from the ISP is used only for NAT translation, not for internal addressing, and private IPs must be used internally to conserve public addresses.
Key principle: Answer the scenario, not the keyword: identify the specific constraint before choosing the most familiar-sounding option.
Answer analysis
Option-by-option breakdown
For each option: why learners choose it and why it is or isn't the right answer here.
- ✗
203.0.113.1 to 203.0.113.14
Why it's wrong here
These are public IPs from the ISP's block, not private IPs; they should be used for the router's WAN interface, not internal devices.
- ✗
10.0.0.0/8
Why it's wrong here
10.0.0.0/8 is a private range but is far too large for 30 devices; it would work but is not the most appropriate choice for a small office.
- ✓
192.168.1.0/24
Why this is correct
192.168.1.0/24 is a private range that provides 254 usable addresses, ideal for a small office with 30 devices.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
- ✗
172.16.0.0/12
Why it's wrong here
172.16.0.0/12 is a private range but is typically used for larger networks; it is less common for small offices and is not the most appropriate.
Common exam traps
Common exam trap: answer the scenario, not the keyword
The trap here is that candidates often confuse the ISP-provided public IP range with the internal addressing requirement, mistakenly selecting the public block (Option A) for internal use instead of recognizing that private IPs (RFC 1918) must be used behind NAT.
Detailed technical explanation
How to think about this question
Under the hood, NAT (Network Address Translation) maps multiple private IPs to a single public IP (or a small pool) using port multiplexing (PAT). The /28 public block provides only 14 usable addresses, so using private IPs internally with NAT allows all 30 devices to share those few public IPs. In real-world scenarios, choosing a /24 subnet (192.168.1.0/24) is typical for small offices because it aligns with default DHCP scopes and simplifies routing and firewall rules.
KKey Concepts to Remember
- Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
- Find the constraint that changes the correct option.
- Eliminate answers that are true in general but not in this case.
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
Answer the scenario, not the keyword: identify the specific constraint before choosing the most familiar-sounding option.
Real-world example
How this comes up in practice
A small business has 20 workstations on the 192.168.1.0/24 network and one public IP from its ISP. The router uses PAT (NAT overload) so all 20 devices share one public address using different source ports. NAT questions test whether you understand the four address terms and which direction each translation applies.
Visual reference
What to study next
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FAQ
Questions learners often ask
What does this 220-1201 question test?
IP Addressing — This question tests IP Addressing — Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer..
What is the correct answer to this question?
The correct answer is: 192.168.1.0/24 — Option C (192.168.1.0/24) is correct because it provides a private IP range (per RFC 1918) that supports up to 254 hosts, which is more than sufficient for 30 devices. The /28 public block from the ISP is used only for NAT translation, not for internal addressing, and private IPs must be used internally to conserve public addresses.
What should I do if I get this 220-1201 question wrong?
Identify which exam domain this question belongs to, review the core concept, then practise similar questions from the same domain.
What is the key concept behind this question?
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
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Last reviewed: Jul 4, 2026
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