Special Networks

Most people are familiar with private networks like 10.0.0.0/8, commonly used in local networks. However, private IP ranges are just one part of a broader system of reserved IP address blocks, which serve specific purposes in the global Internet architecture.

These special-purpose network ranges include link-local addressing (169.254.0.0/16), loopback (127.0.0.0/8), multicast (224.0.0.0/4), and others noted below. Each has its own rules and use cases, defined by IETF standards and enforced by networking hardware and software.

When you use the Netify IP API, these networks will be flagged with the is_bogon property.

List of IETF Special Networks

Benchmarking Network	The special-purpose benchmark network addresses are reserved for benchmarking and testing network devices. These networks are used in labs to simulate traffic without affecting real networks.
Documentation Network	The special-purpose documentation network addresses are reserved for illustrating concepts and examples. These networks should not be used on the Internet or for routing.
Link Local Network	The special-purpose link-local network addresses are used for Automatic Private IP Addressing (APIPA). Devices assign themselves an IP in this range when one cannot be obtained from a DHCP server.
Local Network	The special-purpose local network addresses are reserved for various functions: indicating "no specific address" in routing, source addresses during DHCP, default routes, etc.
Loopback Network	The special-purpose loopback network addresses are reserved for testing and diagnostics, allowing a device to communicate with itself.
Multicast Network	The special-purpose multicast network addresses are reserved for sending data to multiple hosts simultaneously in a network, commonly for streaming, conferencing, or discovery protocols.
NAT64 Network	The special-purpose NAT64 network addresses are reserved for mapping IPv4 addresses into IPv6 space.
Private Network	The special-purpose private network addresses are reserved for use on internal networks, such as a local area network (LAN).
Reserved Network	The special-purpose reserved network addresses are reserved for future use and not used in public internet routing.
Shared Network	The special-purpose shared network addresses are reserved for carrier-grade NAT (CGNAT), allowing multiple customers to share a single public IP address.
Special Purpose Network	The special-purpose network addresses are reserved for protocol assignments, testing, and other research and development uses.