The main difference between MAC and IP address is that MAC Address is used to ensure the physical address of the computer. What is difference between IP address and MAC address? When it comes to data traveling over the network, your MAC address never makes it further than the first piece of networking equipment between you and the internet. MAC addresses travel only so far The MAC address is used by the network to identify which piece of hardware a packet of information is to be sent to. The tools to check your MAC (and IP) addresses are different from system to system, note they only show your computers local addresses, not what can be seen on the Internet. The process of masking a MAC address is known as MAC spoofing. However, many drivers allow the MAC address to be changed. The MAC address that is hard-coded on a network interface controller (NIC) cannot be changed. The physical address - which is also called a media access control, or MAC, address - identifies a device to other devices on the same local network. What is a MAC address used for?Įvery computer or device on the internet has two types of addresses: its physical address and its internet address. This unique MAC address is your device’s private Wi-Fi address, which it uses for that network only. To communicate with a Wi-Fi network, a device must identify itself to the network using a unique network address called a Media Access Control (MAC) address.
You can find either address in System Preferences in OS X Mavericks or Yosemite. A MacBook Pro has one address for its Ethernet adapter and one for its Wi-Fi adapter. How do you find MAC address on your computer?Ī MacBook’s wireless MAC address is called the “Wi-Fi Address.” A MAC address is a 12-digit alphanumeric code that is unique to each network adapter.
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