How to Lease a /24 IPv4 Block

For many organizations, a /24 is the first meaningful dedicated IPv4 allocation.

What Is a /24 IPv4 Block?

A /24 is an IPv4 network containing:

256 total IPv4 addresses

CIDR notation uses the number following the slash to identify the network prefix length.

IPv4 addresses contain 32 bits.

A /24 leaves 8 bits for addressing:

2⁸ = 256

Learn more about IPv4 block sizes.

Why Would a Business Need a /24?

A /24 can support many types of legitimate business infrastructure, including:

• Application servers
• SaaS platforms
• Network monitoring
• Enterprise hosting
• Cybersecurity research
• Web-data infrastructure
• Dedicated customer environments
• Private cloud deployments
• VPN infrastructure
• IoT systems
• Network testing
• Disaster-recovery environments

The appropriate use depends on the technical design and provider acceptable-use requirements.

Can You Lease a /24 Instead of Buying It?

Yes.

Leasing allows a business to use a /24 without permanently purchasing the underlying address resource.

The business typically pays a recurring fee for the right to use the allocation.

Depending on the provider, the service may include only the IPv4 block or may also include:

• Routing
• BGP
• Bandwidth
• Reverse DNS
• Colocation
• Power
• Monitoring
• Network engineering

Learn more about IPv4 leasing.

Step 1: Define the Intended Use

Before requesting a /24, be prepared to explain how it will be used.

A responsible network provider may ask:

• What application will use the addresses?
• Are the addresses for internal company use?
• Will third parties have access?
• Will SMTP or email traffic be generated?
• What type of servers will use the addresses?
• What traffic volume is expected?

This review helps protect both the customer and the network operator.

Step 2: Determine Your Bandwidth Requirements

Having 256 IP addresses does not determine bandwidth usage.

One /24 deployment might consume:

50 Mbps

while another could require:

1 Gbps or more.

Provide both:

Average expected bandwidth

and

Peak bandwidth

Also provide estimated monthly data transfer when possible.

Bandwidth can significantly affect total infrastructure cost.

Step 3: Decide Where the Servers Will Operate

The addresses need to terminate somewhere.

Common options include:

Learn more about IPv4 colocation.

Step 4: Determine Who Will Route the /24

A /24 must be routed to be useful on the public Internet.

Possible designs include:

• Provider originates the prefix
• Customer originates the prefix
• Provider routes addresses internally to customer equipment
• Customer ASN integrates with provider BGP

For many managed deployments, keeping the prefix originated through the provider’s network can simplify the configuration.

Learn more about BGP.

Step 5: Determine Whether You Need an ASN

Most businesses leasing a /24 do not necessarily need their own ASN.

If the provider originates and routes the addresses, the provider can handle external BGP.

A customer ASN may become relevant when the business needs:

• Independent routing
• Multi-homing
• Provider independence
• Its own public prefix announcements
• Advanced routing policies

Learn more about ASNs.

Step 6: Ask About Reverse DNS

Some deployments require custom PTR records.

Ask whether the provider offers:

• PTR record changes
• Reverse DNS management
• Reverse DNS delegation

Learn more about reverse DNS.

If your application depends on rDNS, confirm this before deployment.

Step 7: Understand IP Reputation

The history and behavior associated with the IPv4 block matter.

Ask the provider about:

• Current reputation
• Abuse procedures
• Blocklist monitoring
• Prior use when known
• Network acceptable-use policies

Learn more about IP reputation.

A low lease price is not necessarily a good value if the addresses have serious reputation problems.

How Much Does It Cost to Lease a /24?

Pricing varies.

Factors include:

• Market conditions
• Address history
• Geography
• Provider
• Contract length
• Routing
• Bandwidth
• Colocation
• Power
• Network engineering

An address-only /24 lease will generally be priced differently from a managed /24 deployment that includes bandwidth, routing and server infrastructure.

Learn more about IPv4 leasing cost.

Leasing a /24 From a Marketplace vs. a Network Operator

A marketplace may primarily help a business obtain address resources.

A network operator can potentially provide:

/24 address space

plus

routing

plus

bandwidth

plus

servers

plus

colocation

plus

technical support.

That can reduce the number of separate vendors required for the deployment.

Should You Start With a /24?

For specialized applications, a /24 can be a useful starting allocation.

It is large enough to support meaningful infrastructure but much smaller than a /22 or /21.

Starting with a smaller allocation can help both the customer and provider establish:

• Technical performance
• Traffic patterns
• Abuse history
• Utilization
• Reputation
• Operational compatibility

Expansion can then be evaluated as requirements grow.

What Information Should You Provide When Requesting a /24?

Include:

The more specific the request, the easier it is for the network provider to design and quote the service.

Can NetWest Provide a /24?

NetWest can evaluate /24 and larger IPv4 requirements for qualified business applications, subject to availability and technical review.

A NetWest deployment can potentially combine:

• Dedicated IPv4 resources
• ISP network routing
• Bandwidth
• BGP engineering
• Reverse DNS
• Server colocation
• Power
• Remote hands
• Network monitoring

Learn more about Managed IPv4 Infrastructure.