What is the maximum number of hosts that can be served by an IP?

The maximum number of hosts that can be served by an IP address depends on the subnet mask used. In IPv4, a typical subnet allows for 2^n - 2 hosts, where n is the number of bits available for host addresses (the total bits minus the bits used for the network). For example, a /24 subnet (255.255.255.0) provides 256 addresses, allowing for 254 usable hosts. In IPv6, the address space is vast, allowing for an effectively unlimited number of hosts due to its 128-bit structure, providing 2^128 possible addresses.