What is the address range of Class B private IPv4 addresses?

The address range of Class B private IPv4 addresses is indeed 172.16.0.0 to 172.31.255.255. This range is defined by the Internet Engineering Task Force (IETF) in RFC 1918, which specifies private address spaces not routable on the public Internet. Organizations commonly utilize this range for internal networks, enabling them to create multiple subnets without needing a unique public IP address for each device.

Class B addresses are characterized by their default subnet mask of 255.255.0.0, which provides a substantial number of available host addresses within the defined range. This makes them particularly suitable for medium to large-sized networks.

In contrast, the ranges presented in the other options refer to different classes of addresses or are reserved for other purposes. For example, the address range from the first choice pertains to Class A private addresses, the third choice refers to Class C private addresses, and the fourth option is designated for link-local addresses used in cases where DHCP fails, primarily within local networks. Hence, these ranges do not fit the characteristics or criteria that define Class B private IPv4 addresses.