What is the numeric range for the first octet of a class D IPv4 address?

Class D IPv4 addresses are specifically reserved for multicast groups. The first octet of a Class D address uniquely identifies it within the IPv4 addressing scheme. The numeric range for this first octet spans from 224 to 239.

This range is essential for establishing multicast behaviors in networking, allowing a single packet to be sent from one source to multiple receivers in the same multicast group. The values outside of this specific range either correspond to other classes of IP addresses or are reserved for informational purposes, like Class E, which is designated for experimental use.

Understanding these ranges helps in efficiently designing and managing an IP addressing scheme, especially where multicast capabilities are concerned.