What is a MAC Address?
A MAC address is an important 12-digit value assigned to your device by the manufacturer. Unlike an IP address, a MAC address is used to uniquely identify the location of a device in a network. Aside from identifying a device, MAC addresses can also help secure a network by restricting access to unwanted users.
MAC address stands for Media Access Control address. It is a unique identifying value that is embedded in the Network Interface Controller (NIC) card, by the manufacturer of the device.The value is hexadecimally made up of 12-digits. The first half of the digits represent the Manufacturers’s ID(M) number regulated by an internet standard body. The second half represents the serial number(S) of the device assigned by the manufacturer. The written format of a MAC is therefore normally written as MM:MM:MM:SS:SS: SS (e.g. 00:B0:D8:14:D6:28). Its value is what is used to identify the unique physical location of a device within a network. For these reasons, MAC addresses are also known as physical or hardware addresses.
Table of Contents
Structure of A MAC Address.
As mentioned before, a MAC address is made up of a 12-digit hexadecimal value of 48-Bits hardware number. The 12 digits are divided into 6 octets (24-Bits). The first 3 octets contain 6 digits that identify the manufacturer and are normally called Organizational Unique Identifiers (OUI). The OUI is normally predetermined and assigned by IEEE Registration Authority Committee. A few examples of OUI of known brands are:
- Cisco – CC:46:D6
- Google – 3C:5A: B4
- Huawei – 00:9A: CD
The last 3 octets contain 6 digits that represent the Network Interface Controller (NIC). This value is normally assigned by the manufacturer. The 12-digit value can be written or represented in three different formats;
- Hyphen-hexadecimal notatione. MM-MM-MM-SS-SS-SS
- Colon-hexadecimal notatione. MM:MM:MM:SS:SS: SS
- Period-separated hexadecimal notatione. MMM.MMM.SSS.SSS.
Types of MAC Addresses.
MAC addresses can be divided into 3 types depending on bit value in the first 3 octets. The three types are as follows:
Unicast address – this represents a single LAN interface. This address will only allow a device to communicate directly with only one device within a network. This is possible because, the unicast address value, will be the MAC address of the destination device, or the device it intendeds to interact with.
Multicast address – represents a group of devices within a network. This address allows a device to interact with a specified group of devices in the network. Such an address contains the value 1 in the first part of the MAC address (e.g. 01:MM:MM:SS:SS: SS).
Broadcast address – represents all the devices in a network. This address allows a device to communicate with all the devices in a network. The value of such an address is FFF:FFF: FFF(all binary ones).
Importance of a MAC Address.
MAC addresses play an important role in locating a device within a network. The address gives a unique identity to a device to allow it to communicate easily with other devices in a network, by sending and receiving data.
It can also be used to secure a network by denying access to unwanted users since the ISP can easily authenticate the devices for internet access. This is possible by adding the device’s MAC address to the Denied list or removing it from the Allowed list.
How to Find Your Device’s MAC Address?
Knowing MAC addresses is important since it is a device’s unique identity that allows you to secure your network as well. How to find devices’ MAC addresses differ depending on the devices. Below is a table summary of how to find MAC addresses on different devices.
Device |
Method |
IOS devices
Including iPhones, Ipads, and Ipods |
You can find the MAC address under Wi-Fi address by taping;
Settings>General>About>Wi-Fi Address
|
Android devices |
You can find it under Advanced by tapping;
Settings>Connections>Wi-Fi>More options>Advanced |
Windows devices |
You can find it under Physical address by clicking;
Start>search cmd (command prompt)>key in ipconfig/all>Enter>Physical address
|
macOS devices |
It is either a Wi-Fi address or Airport Address you can find it by clicking:
Apple menu>System preference>Network>Wi-Fi>Advanced>Wi-Fi Address/Airport address |
Linux (Unix) devices |
It is listed as/under HWaddr/ether/lladdr; you can find it by;
Accessing terminal>key in ifconfig –a>Enter |
Conclusion
MAC addresses are essential to the functioning of a device. It is what is used to identify a device within a network. It also determines how the device will interact with other devices within the network given the type of address. Additionally, you could use a device’s MAC address to secure your network by using it to exclude the device or its user accessing your network, were they to be a threat. So it is important to know how and where to find the MAC addresses of various devices if you end up needing them.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
1. Is MAC address the same as IP Address?
No. A MAC address is a unique value, used to determine the location of a device within a network. It is assigned during the production. An IP address is a unique value assigned by the ISP of a network. It gives IP addresses to mark the different devices connected to the network at a given time.
2. Is it safe to share my MAC address with someone?
Networks security doesn’t rely on MAC addresses. Unless you have granted access to a secure network based on your MAC address, it should not be a problem. Still, ensure it is with a trusted person.
