How to Answer: What is an IPv4 address, and can you describe some of the different classes of IPv4?
Advice and answer examples written specifically for a Computer Network Architect job interview.
21. What is an IPv4 address, and can you describe some of the different classes of IPv4?
Why the Interviewer Asks This Question
You probably already recognize this as a technical question since it asks you to define a specific technology and discuss the different types. Interviewers will continue to ask you technical questions throughout the interview. These will range from elementary, basic questions to more complex ones. The interviewer can ask these in any order at any time during the interview. Typically, they progress from easy questions to more difficult ones. This progression indicates that the interviewer is gaining confidence in your capabilities and is willing to challenge your qualifications.
Written by William Swansen on December 14th, 2021
How to Answer
Continue to answer the technical questions using simple, easy-to-understand language while keeping your answers brief and to the point. This applies to both simple and more complex technical questions. Additionally, you should always be prepared for follow-up questions which the interviewer will use to explore the topic in more detail.
Written by William Swansen on December 14th, 2021
Technical Example
"An IP address is a 32-bit address of each node in the network. An IPv4 address has 4 octets of 8-bit each, with values ranging from 0 to 255. IPv4 classes are defined by the number of hosts they support. There are five types of IPv4 classes based on the first octet of the IP address, classified as Class A, B, C, D, and E.
Class A starts with 0, extends to 127, and is typically used for large networks. B, which begins with 128 and includes octets up to 191is used for medium-sized networks. C, ranging from 192 to 223, covers LANs. D, which is used for multicasting, ranges from 224 to 239. Finally, E, which covers octets 240 to 255, is reserved for researching network technologies."
Written by William Swansen on December 14th, 2021