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This way, computers whose MAC addresses are approved will be able to communicate through the network - even if they were given a new IP address by the Dynamic Host Configuration Protocol (DHCP) process. In MAC address filtering, the router is configured to accept traffic only from specific MAC addresses. On wireless networks, a process called MAC filtering is a security measure to prevent unwanted network access by hackers and intruders. For a network administrator, that makes a MAC address a more reliable way to identify senders and receivers of data on the network. MAC addresses are useful for network diagnosis because they never change, as opposed to a dynamic IP address, which can change from time to time. MAC addresses are very useful in diagnosing network issues such as problems with IP addresses. What is a MAC address used for?Īll devices on the same network subnet have different MAC addresses. Think of the ARP as a passport that takes data from an IP address through an actual piece of computer hardware. Something called the Address Resolution Protocol (ARP) translates an IP address into a MAC address. It is hardwired or hard-coded onto your computer’s NIC and is unique to it. Manufacturers assign a MAC address to a network adapter when it is produced. Whereas IP addresses are associated with a networking software called TCP/IP, MAC addresses are linked to the hardware of network adapters. A NIC turns data into an electrical signal that can be transmitted over the network.Įvery NIC has a hardware address that’s known as a MAC address. The NIC is essentially a computer circuit card that makes it possible for your computer to connect to a network.

It’s tied to a key connection device in your computer called the network interface card, or NIC. What is a MAC Address?Ī Media Access Control (MAC) address is a string of characters that identifies a device on a network. In the end, to get the data you want right to YOU, it comes down to addresses - specifically, IP addresses and MAC addresses. Whether you work in a wired network office or a wireless one, one thing is common for both environments: It takes network software and hardware (cables, routers, etc.) to transfer data from your computer to another, or from a computer thousands of miles away to yours.