What does a subnet mask of 255.255.255.0 allow for in terms of subnetting?

A subnet mask of 255.255.255.0 corresponds to a Class C network, which means that it can accommodate a total of 256 IP addresses within the subnet. However, two of these addresses are reserved: one for the network address and one for the broadcast address. The network address is used to identify the subnet itself, while the broadcast address is used to send data to all devices on that subnet.

As a result, the usable addresses that can be assigned to hosts in this subnet are 256 minus the 2 reserved addresses, equating to 254 usable host IP addresses. This is why a subnet mask of 255.255.255.0 allows for 254 possible hosts.

The other options do not reflect this calculation accurately. Therefore, focusing on the subnet mask logic and the role of reserved addresses in the allocation of IP addresses clarifies why 254 is the correct answer.