What Is MAC Address (Media Access Control Address)

 MAC Address (Media Access Control Address)

MAC - Media Access Control Address

A media access control address (MAC address) is a unique identifier number for an Ethernet or network adaptor over a network. It is used as a network address for most IEEE 802 network technologies, including Ethernet, Wi-Fi, and Bluetooth. In the Open SystemsInterconnection (OSI) model, MAC addresses are used in the medium access control protocol sub-layer of the data link layer.

Data Link Layer is divided into two sub-layers –

• Logical Link Control(LLC) Sublayer
• Media Access Control(MAC) Sublayer

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Data Link Layer

MAC Addresses are unique 48-bits hardware number of a computer. It is embedded into the NIC card. (Network Interface card).

MAC Address is also known as Physical Address of a network device.

For example, an Ethernet card may have a MAC address of 00:0d:83:b1:c0:8e.

Each MAC address consists of a 12-digit hexadecimal notation.

The Format of a MAC Address

Traditional MAC addresses are 12-digit (6 bytes or 48 bits) hexadecimal numbers. By convention, they are usually written in one of the following three formats:

• MM:MM:MM:SS:SS:SS
• MM-MM-MM-SS-SS-SS
• MMM.MMM.SSS.SSS

The leftmost 6 digits (24 bits) called a "prefix" is associated with the adapter manufacturer. 

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How To Check MAC Address –

Windows 10, 8, 7, Vista:

• Click Windows Start or Press the Windows key.
• In the search box, type cmd.  
• Press Enter
• A command window displays.
• Type ipconfig /all.
• Press Enter.

Linux/Unix:

Each Linux or Unix operating system is unique.  For most systems, the following command returns the MAC address: ifconfig –a

iOS:

Select Settings > General > About.
Wi-Fi Address displays. This is your device’s MAC address.

Android:

Setting menus differ for each device. In most cases, you can follow this procedure to locate your MAC address:

Select Settings > About Device > Status.
A WiFi Address or WiFi MAC Address displays. This is your device’s MAC address.