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KembaraXtra-Computer science -IP Addresses vs. MAC Addresses
This guide clarifies the differences between IP and MAC addresses, focusing on understanding their roles and characteristics.
Key Concepts:
This guide clarifies the differences between IP and MAC addresses, focusing on understanding their roles and characteristics.
Key Concepts:
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Two Addressing Systems: Every computer on a network possesses two crucial addresses:
- IP Address (Internet Protocol Address): Used for routing network packets across larger networks. This is the address most frequently referenced. It's dynamically assigned and changes when a device moves to a different network.
- MAC Address (Media Access Control Address): Used for communication between directly connected devices on a local network (e.g., devices on the same Wi-Fi). This address is static, assigned at the factory, and remains unchanged throughout the device's lifetime.
- Permanent & Unique: MAC addresses are permanently assigned to a network interface card (NIC) by the manufacturer during production. No two devices should ever have the same MAC address.
- Hexadecimal Notation: MAC addresses are expressed using hexadecimal (base-16) numbers. This means they use digits 0-9 and letters A-F. Each address is 12 hexadecimal digits long.
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Structure: A MAC address is divided into two parts:
- OUI (Organizationally Unique Identifier): The first six hexadecimal digits identify the manufacturer of the network interface card.
- Device Identifier: The remaining six hexadecimal digits uniquely identify the specific device within that manufacturer's production. For example: 14:9d:99:7f:3a:67 where 14:9d:99 is the OUI and 7f:3a:67 is the device identifier.
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