Class C IP addresses (192.168.0.0 - 192.168.255.255) dominate private networks because their smaller subnet size (254 hosts per /24) provides inherent administrative benefits:

# Typical Class C private range configuration
subnet 192.168.1.0 netmask 255.255.255.0 {
    range 192.168.1.100 192.168.1.200;
    option routers 192.168.1.1;
    option domain-name-servers 8.8.8.8;
}

Managing lease pools becomes significantly simpler with Class C's constrained address space. Compare these DHCP server metrics:

• Class A (/8): 16,777,214 hosts → Requires complex hierarchical DHCP
• Class B (/16): 65,534 hosts → Needs multiple DHCP servers
• Class C (/24): 254 hosts → Single DHCP server handles gracefully

Here's how enterprises typically implement Class C ranges:

# Multi-subnet Class C deployment
# Office LAN
subnet 192.168.10.0 netmask 255.255.255.0 {
    range 192.168.10.50 192.168.10.150;
}

# Wireless network
subnet 192.168.20.0 netmask 255.255.255.0 {
    range 192.168.20.100 192.168.20.200;
}

# VoIP network
subnet 192.168.30.0 netmask 255.255.255.0 {
    range 192.168.30.10 192.168.30.50;
}

Class C's natural /24 boundaries align perfectly with VLAN requirements:

# VLAN configuration matching Class C subnets
interface Vlan10
 description Office_LAN
 ip address 192.168.10.1 255.255.255.0

interface Vlan20
 description Wireless
 ip address 192.168.20.1 255.255.255.0

Smaller broadcast domains in Class C networks reduce:

• ARP broadcast traffic
• Potential attack surfaces
• Broadcast storm impacts

The 254-host limit forces proper network segmentation, unlike Class A/B where large flat networks create management nightmares.

When working with private networks, we typically deal with three IP address classes defined by their subnet masks and network/host portions:

Class A: 10.0.0.0/8 (Subnet mask 255.0.0.0)
Class B: 172.16.0.0/12 (Subnet mask 255.240.0.0) 
Class C: 192.168.0.0/16 (Subnet mask 255.255.0.0)

The key technical reasons for Class C preference in private networks include:

• Smaller broadcast domains: With only 254 usable host addresses per subnet (/24), Class C creates more manageable network segments
• Efficient DHCP management: Smaller address pools make lease management and conflict resolution simpler
• Reduced network overhead: Limited broadcast traffic compared to larger subnets
• Better security isolation: Easier to implement subnet-based security policies

Here's a typical DHCP server configuration for Class C networks:

subnet 192.168.1.0 netmask 255.255.255.0 {
    range 192.168.1.100 192.168.1.200;
    option routers 192.168.1.1;
    option domain-name-servers 8.8.8.8, 8.8.4.4;
    default-lease-time 86400;
    max-lease-time 172800;
}

Compared to a Class A configuration which would require more complex management:

subnet 10.0.0.0 netmask 255.0.0.0 {
    range 10.0.0.100 10.0.255.254;
    # Much larger address pool requires additional management logic
}

Class C allows clean network segmentation for different departments:

# Office VLANs
VLAN 10: 192.168.10.0/24 - Finance
VLAN 20: 192.168.20.0/24 - Engineering
VLAN 30: 192.168.30.0/24 - Marketing

Each segment maintains its own DHCP scope while being part of the overall private network.

Smaller subnets in Class C networks show better performance characteristics:

• ARP tables remain smaller in network devices
• Broadcast traffic is contained within smaller segments
• Network scan operations complete faster for security tools
• DHCP lease audits and monitoring are more efficient