Why can’t the D and E class IPV4 addresses be opened?

Question

Since there is a shortage of ipv4 addresses, why can’t the D and E class, and further till 999 be opened?

That would make the number of ipv4 addresses currently available triple in number and help address the shortage perhaps.

In: 1

Answer 1

240.0.0.0/4 range (Class E) is often dropped in existing networking devices. If these addresses were assigned now, then only new software and gear without the restriction would be able to reach them.

224.0.0.0/4 (Class D) is for multicast like IP television to permit multiple viewers with only one data stream. Routers have special handling for those.

I don’t understand what you mean by the class going up to 999.