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IETF RFC 5735
Special Use IPv4 Addresses
Last modified on Thursday, January 7th, 2010
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Internet Engineering Task Force (IETF) M. Cotton
Request for Comments: 5735 L. Vegoda
BCP: 153 ICANN
Obsoletes: 3330 January 2010
Category: Best Current Practice
ISSN: 2070-1721
Special Use IPv4 Addresses
 Abstract
This document obsoletes RFC 3330. It describes the global and other
specialized IPv4 address blocks that have been assigned by the
Internet Assigned Numbers Authority (IANA). It does not address IPv4
address space assigned to operators and users through the Regional
Internet Registries, nor does it address IPv4 address space assigned
directly by IANA prior to the creation of the Regional Internet
Registries. It also does not address allocations or assignments of
IPv6 addresses or autonomous system numbers.
Status of This Memo
This memo documents an Internet Best Current Practice.
This document is a product of the Internet Engineering Task Force
(IETF). It represents the consensus of the IETF community. It has
received public review and has been approved for publication by the
Internet Engineering Steering Group (IESG). Further information on
BCPs is available in Section 2 of RFC 5741.
Information about the current status of this document, any errata,
and how to provide feedback on it may be obtained at
http://www.rfc-editor.org/info/RFC 5735.
Copyright Notice
Copyright (c) 2010 IETF Trust and the persons identified as the
document authors. All rights reserved.
This document is subject to BCP 78 and the IETF Trust's Legal
Provisions Relating to IETF Documents
(http://trustee.ietf.org/license-info) in effect on the date of
publication of this document. Please review these documents
carefully, as they describe your rights and restrictions with respect
to this document. Code Components extracted from this document must
Cotton & Vegoda Best Current Practice PAGE 1 
RFC 5735 Special Use IPv4 Addresses January 2010
include Simplified BSD License text as described in Section 4.e of
the Trust Legal Provisions and are provided without warranty as
described in the Simplified BSD License.
Table of Contents
1. Introduction . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3
2. Terminology . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3
3. Global and Other Specialized Address Blocks . . . . . . . . . 3
4. Summary Table . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6
5. Assignments of IPv4 Blocks for New Specialized Uses . . . . . 6
6. IANA Considerations . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6
7. Security Considerations . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7
8. Acknowledgments . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7
9. References . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7
9.1. Normative References . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7
9.2. Informative References . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7
Appendix A. Differences between This Document and RFC 3330 . . . 10
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RFC 5735 Special Use IPv4 Addresses January 2010
1. Introduction
Throughout its history, the Internet has employed a central Internet
Assigned Numbers Authority (IANA) responsible for the allocation and
assignment of various identifiers needed for the operation of the
Internet [RFC 1174]. In the case of the IPv4 address space, the IANA
allocates parts of the address space to Regional Internet Registries
(RIRs) according to their established needs. These RIRs are
responsible for the registration of IPv4 addresses to operators and
users of the Internet within their regions.
On an ongoing basis, the IANA has been designated by the IETF to make
assignments in support of the Internet Standards Process [RFC 2860].
Section 4 of that document describes that assignment process.
Small portions of the IPv4 address space have been allocated or
assigned directly by the IANA for global or other specialized
purposes. These allocations and assignments have been documented in
a variety of RFCs and other documents. This document is intended to
collect these scattered references and provide a current list of
special use IPv4 addresses.
This document is a revision of RFC 3330 [RFC 3330], which it
obsoletes; its primary purpose is to reflect the changes to the list
of special IPv4 assignments since the publication of RFC 3330. It is
a companion to [RFC 5156], which describes special IPv6 addresses.
2. Terminology
The key words "MUST", "MUST NOT", "REQUIRED", "SHALL", "SHALL NOT",
"SHOULD", "SHOULD NOT", "RECOMMENDED", "MAY", and "OPTIONAL" in this
document are to be interpreted as described in BCP 14, [RFC 2119].
3. Global and Other Specialized Address Blocks
0.0.0.0/8 - Addresses in this block refer to source hosts on "this"
network. Address 0.0.0.0/32 may be used as a source address for this
host on this network; other addresses within 0.0.0.0/8 may be used to
refer to specified hosts on this network ([RFC 1122], Section
3.2.1.3).
10.0.0.0/8 - This block is set aside for use in private networks.
Its intended use is documented in [RFC 1918]. As described in that
RFC, addresses within this block do not legitimately appear on the
public Internet. These addresses can be used without any
coordination with IANA or an Internet registry.
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127.0.0.0/8 - This block is assigned for use as the Internet host
loopback address. A datagram sent by a higher-level protocol to an
address anywhere within this block loops back inside the host. This
is ordinarily implemented using only 127.0.0.1/32 for loopback. As
described in [RFC 1122], Section 3.2.1.3, addresses within the entire
127.0.0.0/8 block do not legitimately appear on any network anywhere.
169.254.0.0/16 - This is the "link local" block. As described in
[RFC 3927], it is allocated for communication between hosts on a
single link. Hosts obtain these addresses by auto-configuration,
such as when a DHCP server cannot be found.
172.16.0.0/12 - This block is set aside for use in private networks.
Its intended use is documented in [RFC 1918]. As described in that
RFC, addresses within this block do not legitimately appear on the
public Internet. These addresses can be used without any
coordination with IANA or an Internet registry.
192.0.0.0/24 - This block is reserved for IETF protocol assignments.
At the time of writing this document, there are no current
assignments. Allocation policy for future assignments is given in
[RFC 5736].
192.0.2.0/24 - This block is assigned as "TEST-NET-1" for use in
documentation and example code. It is often used in conjunction with
domain names example.com or example.net in vendor and protocol
documentation. As described in [RFC 5737], addresses within this
block do not legitimately appear on the public Internet and can be
used without any coordination with IANA or an Internet registry. See
[RFC 1166].
192.88.99.0/24 - This block is allocated for use as 6to4 relay
anycast addresses, in [RFC 3068]. In contrast with previously
described blocks, packets destined to addresses from this block do
appear in the public Internet. [RFC 3068], Section 7, describes
operational practices to prevent the malicious use of this block in
routing protocols.
192.168.0.0/16 - This block is set aside for use in private networks.
Its intended use is documented in [RFC 1918]. As described in that
RFC, addresses within this block do not legitimately appear on the
public Internet. These addresses can be used without any
coordination with IANA or an Internet registry.
198.18.0.0/15 - This block has been allocated for use in benchmark
tests of network interconnect devices. [RFC 2544] explains that this
range was assigned to minimize the chance of conflict in case a
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RFC 5735 Special Use IPv4 Addresses January 2010
testing device were to be accidentally connected to part of the
Internet. Packets with source addresses from this range are not
meant to be forwarded across the Internet.
198.51.100.0/24 - This block is assigned as "TEST-NET-2" for use in
documentation and example code. It is often used in conjunction with
domain names example.com or example.net in vendor and protocol
documentation. As described in [RFC 5737], addresses within this
block do not legitimately appear on the public Internet and can be
used without any coordination with IANA or an Internet registry.
203.0.113.0/24 - This block is assigned as "TEST-NET-3" for use in
documentation and example code. It is often used in conjunction with
domain names example.com or example.net in vendor and protocol
documentation. As described in [RFC 5737], addresses within this
block do not legitimately appear on the public Internet and can be
used without any coordination with IANA or an Internet registry.
224.0.0.0/4 - This block, formerly known as the Class D address
space, is allocated for use in IPv4 multicast address assignments.
The IANA guidelines for assignments from this space are described in
[RFC 3171].
240.0.0.0/4 - This block, formerly known as the Class E address
space, is reserved for future use; see [RFC 1112], Section 4.
The one exception to this is the "limited broadcast" destination
address 255.255.255.255. As described in [RFC 919] and [RFC 922],
packets with this destination address are not forwarded at the IP
layer.
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4. Summary Table
Address Block Present Use Reference
------------------------------------------------------------------
0.0.0.0/8 "This" Network RFC 1122, Section 3.2.1.3
10.0.0.0/8 Private-Use Networks RFC 1918
127.0.0.0/8 Loopback RFC 1122, Section 3.2.1.3
169.254.0.0/16 Link Local RFC 3927
172.16.0.0/12 Private-Use Networks RFC 1918
192.0.0.0/24 IETF Protocol Assignments RFC 5736
192.0.2.0/24 TEST-NET-1 RFC 5737
192.88.99.0/24 6to4 Relay Anycast RFC 3068
192.168.0.0/16 Private-Use Networks RFC 1918
198.18.0.0/15 Network Interconnect
Device Benchmark Testing RFC 2544
198.51.100.0/24 TEST-NET-2 RFC 5737
203.0.113.0/24 TEST-NET-3 RFC 5737
224.0.0.0/4 Multicast RFC 3171
240.0.0.0/4 Reserved for Future Use RFC 1112, Section 4
255.255.255.255/32 Limited Broadcast RFC 919, Section 7
RFC 922, Section 7
5. Assignments of IPv4 Blocks for New Specialized Uses
The IANA has responsibility for making assignments of protocol
parameters used in the Internet according to the requirements of the
"Memorandum of Understanding Concerning the Technical Work of the
Internet Assigned Numbers Authority" [RFC 2860]. Among other things,
[RFC 2860] requires that protocol parameters be assigned according to
the criteria and procedures specified in RFCs, including Proposed,
Draft, and full Internet Standards and Best Current Practice
documents, and any other RFC that calls for IANA assignment.
The domain name and IP address spaces involve policy issues (in
addition to technical issues) so that the requirements of [RFC 2860]
do not apply generally to those spaces. Nonetheless, the IANA is
responsible for ensuring assignments of IPv4 addresses as needed in
support of the Internet Standards Process. When a portion of the
IPv4 address space is specifically required by an RFC, the technical
requirements (e.g., size, prefix length) for the portion should be
described [RFC 5226]. Immediately before the RFC is published, the
IANA will, in consultation with the Regional Internet Registries,
make the necessary assignment and notify the RFC Editor of the
particulars for inclusion in the RFC as published.
As required by [RFC 2860], the IANA will also make necessary
experimental assignments of IPv4 addresses, also in consultation with
the Regional Internet Registries.
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RFC 5735 Special Use IPv4 Addresses January 2010
6. IANA Considerations
This document describes the IANA's past and current practices and
does not create any new requirements for assignments or allocations
by the IANA.
7. Security Considerations
The particular assigned values of special use IPv4 addresses
cataloged in this document do not directly raise security issues.
However, the Internet does not inherently protect against abuse of
these addresses. If you expect (for instance) that all packets from
a private address space such as the 10.0.0.0/8 block or the link
local block 169.254.0.0/16 originate within your subnet, all routers
at the border of your network should filter such packets that
originate from outside your network. Attacks have been mounted that
depend on the unexpected use of some of these addresses.
It should also be noted that some of these address spaces may be used
legitimately outside a single administrative domain, and may appear
on the global Internet. Security policy SHOULD NOT blindly filter
all of these address spaces without due consideration, and network
operators are encouraged to review this document, and references
contained therein, and determine what security policies should be
associated with each of these address blocks within their specific
operating environments.
8. Acknowledgments
Many people have made comments on draft versions of this document.
The authors would especially like to thank Scott Bradner, Randy Bush,
Harald Alvestrand, Peter Koch, Alfred Hoenes, and Jari Arkko for
their constructive feedback and comments. They would also like to
offer a special note of thanks to APNIC, which nominated
198.51.100.0/24 and 203.0.113.0/24.
9. References
9.1. Normative References
[RFC 2119] Bradner, S., "Key words for use in RFCs to Indicate
Requirement Levels", BCP 14, RFC 2119, March 1997.
9.2. Informative References
[RFC 919] Mogul, J., "Broadcasting Internet Datagrams", STD 5,
RFC 919, October 1984.
Cotton & Vegoda Best Current Practice PAGE 7
RFC 5735 Special Use IPv4 Addresses January 2010
[RFC 922] Mogul, J., "Broadcasting Internet datagrams in the
presence of subnets", STD 5, RFC 922, October 1984.
[RFC 1112] Deering, S., "Host extensions for IP multicasting", STD 5,
RFC 1112, August 1989.
[RFC 1122] Braden, R., "Requirements for Internet Hosts -
Communication Layers", STD 3, RFC 1122, October 1989.
[RFC 1166] Kirkpatrick, S., Stahl, M., and M. Recker, "Internet
numbers", RFC 1166, July 1990.
[RFC 1174] Cerf, V., "IAB recommended policy on distributing internet
identifier assignment and IAB recommended policy change to
internet "connected" status", RFC 1174, August 1990.
[RFC 1700] Reynolds, J. and J. Postel, "Assigned Numbers", RFC 1700,
October 1994.
[RFC 1918] Rekhter, Y., Moskowitz, R., Karrenberg, D., Groot, G., and
E. Lear, "Address Allocation for Private Internets",
BCP 5, RFC 1918, February 1996.
[RFC 2544] Bradner, S. and J. McQuaid, "Benchmarking Methodology for
Network Interconnect Devices", RFC 2544, March 1999.
[RFC 2860] Carpenter, B., Baker, F., and M. Roberts, "Memorandum of
Understanding Concerning the Technical Work of the
Internet Assigned Numbers Authority", RFC 2860, June 2000.
[RFC 3068] Huitema, C., "An Anycast Prefix for 6to4 Relay Routers",
RFC 3068, June 2001.
[RFC 3171] Albanna, Z., Almeroth, K., Meyer, D., and M. Schipper,
"IANA Guidelines for IPv4 Multicast Address Assignments",
BCP 51, RFC 3171, August 2001.
[RFC 3330] IANA, "Special-Use IPv4 Addresses", RFC 3330,
September 2002.
[RFC 3927] Cheshire, S., Aboba, B., and E. Guttman, "Dynamic
Configuration of IPv4 Link-Local Addresses", RFC 3927,
May 2005.
[RFC 5156] Blanchet, M., "Special-Use IPv6 Addresses", RFC 5156,
April 2008.
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RFC 5735 Special Use IPv4 Addresses January 2010
[RFC 5226] Narten, T. and H. Alvestrand, "Guidelines for Writing an
IANA Considerations Section in RFCs", BCP 26, RFC 5226,
May 2008.
[RFC 5736] Huston, G., Cotton, M., and L. Vegoda, "IANA IPv4 Special
Purpose Address Registry", RFC 5736, January 2010.
[RFC 5737] Arkko, J., Cotton, M., and L. Vegoda, "IPv4 Address Blocks
Reserved for Documentation", RFC 5737, January 2010.
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RFC 5735 Special Use IPv4 Addresses January 2010
Appendix A. Differences between This Document and RFC 3330
Address blocks that were reserved for a special purpose in RFC 3330
but are no longer reserved for any special purpose and are available
for allocation are no longer listed in Sections 4 or 5. The
following blocks have become available:
- 14.0.0.0/8 is no longer set aside for assignments to the
international system of Public Data Networks [RFC 1700], page 181.
It is now available for allocation to RIRs in the normal way.
- 24.0.0.0/8 is no longer listed as the addresses in that block have
been managed by the American Registry for Internet Numbers (ARIN)
in the normal way since 2001.
- 39.0.0.0/8 is no longer listed as it has been subject to
allocation to an RIR for assignment in the normal manner since
2001.
- 128.0.0.0/16 is not reserved and is subject to future allocation
by a Regional Internet Registry for assignment in the normal
manner.
- 191.255.0.0/16 is not reserved and is subject to future allocation
by a RIR for assignment in the normal manner.
- 198.51.100.0/24 is assigned as "TEST-NET-2" for use in
documentation and example code.
- 203.0.113.0/24 is assigned as "TEST-NET-3" for use in
documentation and example code.
- 223.255.255.0/24 is not reserved and is subject to future
allocation by an RIR for assignment in the normal manner.
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RFC 5735 Special Use IPv4 Addresses January 2010
Authors' Addresses
Michelle Cotton
Internet Corporation for Assigned Names and Numbers
4676 Admiralty Way, Suite 330
Marina del Rey, CA 90292
USA
Phone: +1-310-823-9358
EMail: michelle.cotton@icann.org
URI: http://www.iana.org/
Leo Vegoda
Internet Corporation for Assigned Names and Numbers
4676 Admiralty Way, Suite 330
Marina del Rey, CA 90292
USA
Phone: +1-310-823-9358
EMail: leo.vegoda@icann.org
URI: http://www.iana.org/
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Special Use IPv4 Addresses
RFC TOTAL SIZE: 20369 bytes
PUBLICATION DATE: Thursday, January 7th, 2010
LEGAL RIGHTS: The IETF Trust (see BCP 78)
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