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Convert the ip addresses to and from (long) integers. You want to know what is the most addresses you can put in this block starting from the "start" ip, up to n. It is the smallest between the lowest bit of start and the highest bit of n. Then, repeat this process with a new start and n.
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Problems involving IP ranges, CIDR blocks, and bit manipulation concepts can appear in FAANG-style interviews. They test understanding of binary representation, networking basics, and greedy algorithm design.
The optimal approach uses a greedy strategy combined with bit manipulation. Convert the starting IP to a 32-bit integer and repeatedly allocate the largest valid CIDR block that fits the remaining address range.
No complex data structure is required. Most solutions rely on integer arithmetic, string parsing, and bit manipulation after converting the IP address into a 32-bit numeric representation.
Bit manipulation helps determine alignment and block size efficiently. Operations like finding the lowest set bit allow you to compute the largest CIDR block that can start from a given IP address.