A /28 subnet mask corresponds to 255.255.255.240, which means each subnet contains 16 IP addresses . The subnet boundaries in the last octet increase in steps of 16: 0, 16, 32, 48, 64, 80, 96, 112, 128, 144, 160, and so on. The host address 192.168.1.147 falls within the subnet range 192.168.1.144 to 192.168.1.159 .
In that subnet, the network address is 192.168.1.144, the usable host range is 192.168.1.145 through 192.168.1.158, and the broadcast address is 192.168.1.159. Therefore, option C is correct. Option D is the first usable host address, not the broadcast address. Option A is just another usable host address. Option B would be the broadcast address only for a /24 network, not for a /28. HCIA-Datacom requires learners to master subnetting because it is essential for IP planning, gateway deployment, route summarization, and troubleshooting Layer 3 communication issues in campus and enterprise networks.
