IPv4 addresses are 32-bit numbers represented in dotted decimal notation with four octets separated by periods. The network portion and host portion of an address depend on its class. There are five classes: Class A has a 7-bit network ID and 24-bit host ID; Class B a 14-bit network ID and 16-bit host ID; Class C a 21-bit network ID and 8-bit host ID. Class D is for multicasting with the high-order bits set to 1110, and Class E is reserved for experimental purposes.