What is MAC Address?

If you want to know more about MAC addresses, then you will want to read this article. To begin with, what is MAC address? MAC is generally known as Media Access Control. It basically consists of a string of unique value that is associated with a network adapter. For your information, MAC addresses are also sometimes called as hardware addresses or physical addresses. The purpose or function of a MAC address is to identify the adapter or LAN. The typical address consists of a 12-digit hexadecimal number, which is of 48 bits. The first half of the number will contain the ID number of the adapter manufacturer. The second half represents the serial number that has been assigned to the adapter.

Furthermore, MAC address looks similar to an IP address, yet they are different. In fact, a MAC address works at the data link layer while an IP address operates at the network layer. Simply put, it is used for supporting hardware implementation while IP address is used for software implementation. In addition, you cannot change MAC address while IP address changes as the network device change from one network to another. For your information, the IP networks will be able to maintain a mapping or also known as ARP (Address Resolution Protocol) cache between IP address of a device and its MAC address. Simply, the ARP will be able to support the logic and keep the cache up to date.

As mentioned earlier, this address is designed to be fixed numbers. Nevertheless, there are ways for you to change MAC address. Now, why do you want to change your MAC address? One of the valid reasons is to allow your MAC address to work with your ISP (Internet Service Provider). There are a few ways to change MAC address. First is through cloning and second is through the operating system.

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