Which class of IP addresses is designated for multicast?

The class of IP addresses designated for multicast is Class D. In the context of IP addressing, multicast addresses are used to send messages to multiple hosts simultaneously within a network.

Class D addresses range from 224.0.0.0 to 239.255.255.255 and are specifically reserved for multicast groups. This allows one packet to address multiple devices, making it efficient for applications like streaming video or audio to several users at once.

Other classes, such as Class A, Class B, and Class C, are primarily used for unicast communication, where a single packet is directed to a specific host. While these classes can support broadcast traffic within the subnet, multicast functions are distinctly associated with Class D. Understanding these classifications is important for efficient network design and implementation, particularly in environments that require the distribution of data to multiple hosts.