Which of the Following Are Private IP Addresses? (Select Two.)

In the field of computer networking, IP addresses play a critical role in identifying devices on both private and public networks. One of the most frequently tested concepts in certification exams like CompTIA, Cisco, AWS, and other IT credentialing assessments is the classification of IP addresses, especially distinguishing between private and public IP addresses.

If you’ve come across the question "which of the following are private IP addresses? (select two.)", you’re likely preparing for a major networking exam or brushing up on foundational knowledge. This blog from DumpsQueen Official will break down everything you need to know about private IP addresses — including definitions, ranges, use cases, and sample questions with explanations — to help you prepare using our trusted Exam Prep Dumps and Study Guide material.

What Is an IP Address?

An IP address (Internet Protocol address) is a unique identifier assigned to each device on a network. It allows devices to locate and communicate with one another over the internet or local network.

There are two major types of IP addresses:

1. Public IP addresses – Routable over the internet.
2. Private IP addresses – Used for internal communication within a local area network (LAN) and not routable over the public internet.

Understanding Private IP Addresses

Private IP addresses are reserved by the Internet Assigned Numbers Authority (IANA) for use within private networks. These addresses are not unique globally, which means multiple networks can use the same private IP ranges without conflict.

Private IP addresses are typically used for:

• Home networks
• Corporate LANs
• Virtual Private Networks (VPNs)
• Internal communication between devices (like printers, servers, and routers)

The main benefit of private IP addresses is security and address conservation. They reduce the need for public IP addresses and enhance internal control.

What Are the Private IP Ranges?

The IANA has defined three blocks of IP addresses specifically for private use. These ranges are:

• Class A: 10.0.0.0 to 10.255.255.255
  (CIDR notation: 10.0.0.0/8)
• Class B: 172.16.0.0 to 172.31.255.255
  (CIDR notation: 172.16.0.0/12)
• Class C: 192.168.0.0 to 192.168.255.255
  (CIDR notation: 192.168.0.0/16)

These ranges are considered non-routable on the public internet and must be translated via Network Address Translation (NAT) when accessing external networks.

How to Identify Private IP Addresses in Exam Questions

When faced with the multiple-choice question "which of the following are private IP addresses? (select two.)", you should look for options that fall within the three ranges listed above. All other IP addresses in the question are most likely public or reserved addresses.

Here’s a quick mnemonic to help:

• 10.x.x.x → Always private
• 172.16.x.x – 172.31.x.x → Private (only this subset of 172.x.x.x)
• 192.168.x.x → Always private

Any IPs outside of these are generally public, unless explicitly stated otherwise in exam contexts.

Importance of Understanding Private IPs in Certifications

For certifications like CompTIA Network+, Cisco CCNA, AWS Certified Solutions Architect, and others, this concept is foundational. Knowing the ranges helps answer subnetting questions, identify valid hosts in a network, and configure internal network routing efficiently.

DumpsQueen Official recommends incorporating Exam Prep Dumps and Study Guide material into your revision plan to reinforce this topic. Practice scenarios, command-line simulations, and subnetting exercises are often included to provide a comprehensive learning experience.

Private IP Addresses vs. Public IP Addresses

Let’s take a closer look at the key differences between the two:

How NAT Works with Private IP Addresses

Because private IPs are not directly accessible over the internet, Network Address Translation (NAT) is used by routers to convert private IP addresses to public ones. This is especially critical in home and office networks.

For example:

• A laptop on 192.168.1.5 sends a request to a public website.
• The router translates this to its own public IP (e.g., 203.0.113.5).
• When the site responds, the router sends the reply back to 192.168.1.5.

This mechanism allows thousands of private IPs to share a single public IP address — an essential solution given the exhaustion of IPv4 addresses.

Real-World Applications of Private IP Addresses

1. Home Networks

Most routers default to assigning addresses in the 192.168.x.x range. Devices like smart TVs, phones, and printers connect using these internal IPs.

2. Corporate Networks

Enterprises often use the 10.x.x.x range due to its large number of available host addresses. It allows flexibility in subnetting across departments.

3. Virtual Private Clouds (VPCs)

In cloud platforms like AWS or Azure, virtual networks use private IPs for internal communication between services.

Tips for Remembering Private IP Ranges

Here are some quick strategies to help you retain this information for your certification exams:

• Think "Ten is private": 10.0.0.0/8
• “172 Sweet Sixteen to 31”: 172.16.0.0 to 172.31.255.255
• “192 is home”: 192.168.0.0/16 used commonly in home networks

Use mnemonic tools, flashcards, and DumpsQueen’s Exam Prep Dumps and Study Guide material to solidify your understanding.

Final Thoughts

When preparing for network-based certification exams, one of the foundational topics you’ll encounter is private vs. public IP addresses. Questions like "which of the following are private IP addresses? (select two.)" appear frequently and are easy points if you’ve memorized the ranges.

At DumpsQueen Official, we offer curated Exam Prep Dumps and Study Guide material designed to mirror the structure of real certification exams. Our study resources help you master crucial topics like IP addressing, subnetting, and NAT with clarity and confidence.

Whether you're taking your first steps into networking or are a seasoned professional refreshing your knowledge, understanding private IP addresses is essential. Keep practicing with real-world examples and MCQs, and you'll be exam-ready in no time.

Sample Questions and Answers

Here are some MCQ-style sample questions to help you apply what you've learned. These closely resemble what you might see on actual certification exams.

Question 1:

Which of the following are private IP addresses? (Select two.)

A. 10.10.10.10
B. 172.32.0.1
C. 192.168.1.1
D. 8.8.8.8

Correct Answers: A and C
Explanation:

• 10.10.10.10 falls within the 10.0.0.0/8 private range
• 192.168.1.1 falls within the 192.168.0.0/16 private range
• 172.32.0.1 is not private (outside 172.16.0.0 to 172.31.255.255)
• 8.8.8.8 is a public DNS IP address by Google

Question 2:

Which IP address below is NOT a private IP address?

A. 192.168.100.10
B. 172.16.5.4
C. 10.0.0.1
D. 203.0.113.1

Correct Answer: D
Explanation:
203.0.113.1 is part of a public IP block reserved for documentation and examples, not private use. All others are valid private IPs.

Question 3:

You are setting up a LAN in a small office. Which of the following private IP address ranges would be appropriate for internal device allocation? (Select two.)

A. 192.0.2.0/24
B. 192.168.0.0/16
C. 172.16.0.0/12
D. 224.0.0.0/4

Correct Answers: B and C
Explanation:

• 192.168.0.0/16 and 172.16.0.0/12 are private IP ranges.
• 192.0.2.0/24 is a TEST-NET address (not private).
• 224.0.0.0/4 is reserved for multicast traffic.

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