What is the subnet mask for the management server?

The subnet mask for a management server defines the range of IP addresses within the network, which is crucial for proper communication between devices. A subnet mask of 255.255.255.224 indicates that the first 27 bits of the address are used for the network portion, allowing for more subnets with a smaller number of hosts per subnet.

This subnet mask supports up to 30 usable IP addresses within the subnet (2^5 - 2, because two IP addresses are reserved for the network and broadcast addresses). This is often suitable for a management server environment where fewer devices connect or when isolating management traffic for security and performance reasons.

In contrast, other options either allow for a larger number of hosts or may not fit correctly within the constraints of a typical management server configuration. For instance, a subnet mask of 255.255.255.0 supports up to 254 usable addresses, making it less efficient for environments where a smaller subnet is preferred. Meanwhile, 255.255.255.128 and 255.255.255.252 may either be excessive or underutilized based on the typical requirements of a management server.

Thus, the subnet mask of 255.255.255.224 is the most appropriate choice