The hexadecimal format uses the base-16 to refer to numbers. MAC addresses are written in the hexadecimal format. When you purchase a new NIC (Network Interface Card), or any device which has onboard NICs, it comes with a pre-configured MAC address.Ī MAC address is 6 bytes (48 bits) long address in the binary numbers. Unlike the IP address or software address, this address can’t be configured or managed. The hardware address is also known as the data link layer address or layer 2 address or MAC (Media Access Control) address.įrom these terms, the term MAC address is commonly used to refer to the hardware address. In this tutorial, I will explain the hardware addresses in detail. IP Address Classes and Definition Explained I have already explained IP addresses in the following tutorial.

The IP protocol uses the term IP address to define the software address. Almost all modern LAN implementations use the IP protocol in the network layer. Based on network requirements and layout, this address can be configured and assigned to an end device. This address is manageable and configurable. The software address is also known as the network layer address or layer 3 address. Because of this, both layers are also known as layer 3 and layer 2, respectively. In both models, the network layer and data link layer stand on the third and second positions, respectively. In both models, the software address and hardware address are defined in the network layer and data link layer, respectively. There are two popular networking models the OSI Seven Layers model and the TCP/IP model. Addressing in Networking Reference modelsĪ networking reference model defines the standards, characteristics, definitions, and functionalities of the network. In the LAN network, a unique address is the combination of two addresses software address and hardware address. A unique address enables an end device to send and receive data in the network. Unless an end device has a unique address, it can’t communicate with other devices in the network. In network, an address provides a unique identity to an end device.

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