What is the number of possible network IDs in IP address Class B?

Correct option is C

In Class B IP addressing, the first two bits are fixed as 10, leaving 14 bits for the network ID. The number of possible network IDs is 2¹⁴, but two addresses (all zeros and all ones) are reserved, reducing the total to 2¹⁴ − 2.
Important Key Points:
1. Class B Format:
· The first two bits are 10.
· The remaining 14 bits are used for the network ID, and the last 16 bits are used for host IDs.
2. Reserved Addresses:
· An address with all zeros is used for the network itself.
· An address with all ones is reserved for broadcast.
3. Total Network IDs in Class B: 2¹⁴ − 2 = 16,382.
Knowledge Booster:
· 2¹⁴: Incorrect, as this does not account for the two reserved addresses.
· 2¹⁶ − 2: Incorrect, as Class B uses 14 bits for the network ID, not 16 bits.
· 2¹⁶ + 2: Incorrect, as the calculation is not relevant for Class B.