What is the bit size of an IPv4 address?

An IPv4 address is defined as a 32-bit number. This means it consists of four octets, each containing 8 bits, which combine to create a total of 32 bits. Each octet is usually represented in decimal format as a number between 0 and 255, allowing for a range of addresses in the network.

The significance of IPv4's 32-bit structure is that it provides approximately 4.3 billion unique addresses (2^32). This number was sufficient for the early growth of the Internet. However, with the expansion of connected devices, this address space became inadequate, leading to the development and adoption of IPv6, which offers a much larger address space with 128-bit addresses.

Other options relate to different address types or sizes, but they do not apply to IPv4. In understanding networking, recognizing the specific structure and size of addresses like IPv4 is essential, as it lays the foundation for networking principles and address allocation.