In a subnet of 10.8.2.0/27, which statement is correct about host addresses?

• A. The given host address falls within a /27 subnet
• B. The subnet mask should be 255.255.255.0
• C. 10.8.2.32 is the correct host address for a /27
• D. The host address given cannot be used with a /27 subnet

Answer: (D)

In a 10.8.2.0/27 network, the subnet mask is 255.255.255.224, which creates blocks of 32 addresses in the last octet. For the first block, the range is 10.8.2.0 to 10.8.2.31. Within that block, the network address is 10.8.2.0 and the broadcast address is 10.8.2.31, leaving usable host addresses from 10.8.2.1 to 10.8.2.30. Any address outside that usable range cannot function as a host within this /27 subnet.

So, if the given host address falls outside 10.8.2.1–10.8.2.30 (for the 10.8.2.0/27 subnet), it cannot be used with that /27. For example, 10.8.2.32 belongs to the next block and is not a valid host address for the 10.8.2.0/27 subnet. That’s why the statement that the given host address cannot be used with a /27 subnet is correct. The subnet mask should be 255.255.255.224, not 255.255.255.0, and 10.8.2.32 is not the correct host address for this particular /27.