In a Class C network, what is the maximum number of usable host addresses per subnet?

In a Class C network, the subnet mask typically used is 255.255.255.0, which corresponds to a /24 prefix length. This means that 24 bits are used for the network portion, leaving 8 bits for the host portion of the address.

To calculate the maximum number of usable host addresses in a subnet, you can use the formula 2^h - 2, where h is the number of bits available for hosts. In this case, since there are 8 bits for the host addresses (2^8 = 256), the maximum number of usable addresses becomes 256 - 2 = 254. The subtraction of 2 accounts for one address reserved for the network address and another for the broadcast address, both of which cannot be assigned to individual hosts.

Thus, in a Class C network, the maximum number of usable host addresses per subnet is indeed 254.