Traditional MAC addresses are 12-digit hexadecimal numbers.

If the addresses match, the packet is processed, otherwise it is discarded. If a network adapter is receiving a packet, it is comparing the packet’s destination MAC address to the adapter’s own MAC address. Packets that are sent on the Ethernet are always coming from a MAC address and sent to a MAC address. For a network switch, it is likely to have many MAC addresses, since one MAC address is assigned to every interface on the switch.Ī MAC address, also known as “hardware address” or “physical address”, is a binary number used to uniquely identify computer network adapters. A MAC Address is given by the manufacturer and it is embedded in the chip that allows your device to connect to a network. To put the MAC (Media Access Control) address in layman’s terms, you can think of the MAC address as your unique digital fingerprint, which is one of a kind in the world.

So, why does your network devices need two addresses to connect to a network? Isn’t an IP address sufficient? What exactly is that MAC address for? Except for switches which have switch MAC address, all devices that connected to the Internet have this unique identifying number, from desktop computers, laptops, cell phones, tablets to wireless security cameras, and even your connected refrigerator have a MAC address.

You may have noticed that every piece of hardware on your local network has a MAC address in addition to the IP address. Switch Mac Address: What’s It and How Does it Work?

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