What is an APIPA address?

An APIPA address, which stands for Automatic Private IP Addressing, is a specific range of IP addresses that are automatically assigned to a device when it is configured to obtain an IP address via DHCP but is unable to reach a DHCP server. In this case, the device assigns itself an address from the APIPA range, which is from 169.254.0.0 to 169.254.255.255.

This address range is significant because it helps devices communicate over a local network when there is no DHCP server available, enabling basic connectivity without manual configuration. APIPA addresses are considered link-local addresses and are not routable on the internet, which is why choosing an appropriate public address or understanding the use of DHCP is important in networking contexts.

The other options do not accurately describe APIPA addresses. Public IP addresses refer to addresses assigned for use on the internet, while DHCP is a protocol used for dynamically assigning IP addresses, not specifically tied to APIPA. Class E addresses are reserved for experimental use and are not related to the APIPA range. Thus, identifying the range of APIPA addresses as 169.254.0.0 to 169.254.255.255 is crucial for understanding how these addresses function within local networking