When professional computer consultants discuss computers and related subjects such as the IP address you would often times find the term MAC address being brought into the discussion. This address is another important component which is frequently associated with the computers network adapter. You may occasionally come across additional phrases or words which relate basically to the MAC address such as the physical address or the hardware address but they all essentially mean the same thing. These names uniquely identify the specific adapter which is being used on the system LAN.
The MAC address is generally composed of 12 special digits which are arranged in hexadecimal number format. The first 6 numbers of these MAC address digits represent the ID number associated with the actual adapter supplier or manufacturer. This number is not of particular importance in the majority of cases for the following reason. The supplier cannot actually place any figures what so ever upon it since the supplier ID number is currently being regulated and must follow specific internet standards. Once a supplier has their own permanent ID a user that happens to chance upon it will know instantly what supplier the adapter originated from. On the other hand, the second remaining 6 slots of the adapters MAC address are reserved to represent the assigned serial number for that particular adapter. The MAC address is also capable of following any of two identified MAC address formats.
You may perhaps be questioning the logic in having the MAC addresses designated at all. This particular address is a very important designation when you are establishing plans to network a large number of computing machines together. Having the MAC address will effectively enable each computer to be uniquely identified even at the lower levels such as the data link streams. It is similar to the rooms in a hotel. Each has their own specific number which is assigned to it.
One of the most asked questions relating to the MAC address system are whether there is actually a viable difference between the assigned IP address and the MAC address? Most people contend that since these are both addresses which can be used for identifying just one specific computing machine, it would only seems right to think that the IP address is better associated with software implementation. This is not necessarily true since it functions on another layer of the stream. The MAC address deals more with the hardware identification aspect associated with your particular personal computer. Another major difference in the two is that the IP address changes dramatically as one jumps around from one network to another but the MAC address will remain constant in the majority of the time.
