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For most casual users, MAC and IP addresses might seem like jargon. Yet, they're often confused due to their shared implication as addresses. In this article, let's uncover what MAC and IP addresses are, and how they differ.
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What is a MAC Address?
A MAC address (short for Media Access Control Address) is a unique 12-digit hexadecimal identifier assigned to a Network Interface Controller (NIC). The NIC, also known as a network card, helps identify devices connected to a specific network. As the name suggests, this network card provides an interface through which your device connects to the Internet, via Wi-Fi or Ethernet cable.
MAC addresses help identify devices connected to a network. Source: Unsplash.MAC addresses are designated by NIC manufacturers, so these identification numbers are permanent. However, you can change your MAC address. Because the MAC address is associated with the network card, it's often referred to as a physical address. MAC addresses are typically displayed in 6 sets of two digits or characters separated by colons (:), hyphens (-), or periods (.) for readability. For example, a MAC address could be 3A:34:52:C4:69:B8. In this, the first three sets represent the organization's identifier, while the last three sets identify a specific NIC.
MAC addresses are manufactured by NIC vendors and have nothing to do with Apple. Source: Unsplash.Although the term 'MAC' might make you think MAC addresses are related to Apple devices, that's not the case. Any device capable of connecting to the Internet has a MAC address. So, whether it's a 5-year-old HP laptop, a smart speaker with Google Assistant support, a smart TV, or any other device you can connect to the Internet, it has a MAC address.
What is an IP Address?
An Internet Protocol (IP) address is a unique identifier assigned to a device connecting to a local network or the Internet. An IP address is like a home address, crucial for sending mail. Similarly, an IP address allows different devices to connect to the network and communicate. This is the address through which your computer will send and receive data.
An IP address is like a computer's home address. Source: Unsplash.For instance, if you want to send data to a specific computer on the Internet, the router will route that data to the computer using its unique identifier (IP address). The same applies to websites; each website has a unique IP address.
IP addresses come in two versions: IPv4 and IPv6, with IPv6 being the latest version. Source: Unsplash.Currently, we have two versions of IP addresses: IPv4 and IPv6. IPv4 consists of a set of 4 numbers separated by periods ranging from 0 to 255, for example: 207.228.238.7. Meanwhile, IPv6 consists of 8 sets of alphanumeric characters with colons separating them, for example: 2001:db8:3333:4444:5555:6666:7777:8888. IPv6 is the latest version of IP addresses.
The Difference Between MAC and IP Addresses
Internet Service Providers (ISPs) provide IP addresses, while network card manufacturers assign MAC addresses. IP addresses are 32-bit (IPv4) or 128-bit (IPv6) logical addresses, whereas MAC addresses are 48-bit physical addresses.
IP addresses are logical addresses, whereas MAC addresses are physical addresses. Source: Unsplash.MAC addresses operate in the data link layer of the OSI (Open Systems Interconnection) model, while IP addresses operate in the network layer. Another difference between the two addresses is that IP addresses are temporary, whereas MAC addresses are permanent (you can change them, but do so with caution). Additionally, devices cannot share MAC addresses, whereas multiple devices can share an IP address. The key point is that IP addresses identify connections to the network, while MAC addresses identify the physical devices connected to the network.
Regarding the operational model of IP and MAC addresses, there are also some differences. Source: Unsplash.Hopefully, through this article, you'll gain a better understanding of IP and MAC addresses, avoiding confusion between the two. Of course, both are useful for network connections, each demonstrating its usefulness in different scenarios, and you can't replace one with the other in any way.
What about you? Do you understand what an IP address or MAC address is? Leave a comment below to let me and everyone else know. Thank you for reading all the way through.
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