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MAC Address

  • Hardware address of source/destination NICs
  • Physical address, hardware address, or data link layer address
  • Embedded on every network adapter
  • Can only be used on a LAN
  • 48 bits
  • Written as six hex numbers separated by colons
  • Traditional MAC addresses contain two parts:
    • First 24 bits --> OUI
      • Organizationally Unique Identifier
      • Manufacturer ID
      • Assigned by IEEE
    • Last 24 bits --> extension identifier
      • Device ID
      • Manufacturers assign each NIC a unique device ID

Computer Science Networking