MAC address (Media Access Control address) and IP address (Internet Protocol address) are both identifiers used in computer networks, but they serve different purposes and operate at different layers of the networking stack. Here are the key differences between a MAC address and an IP address:
MAC Address (Media Access Control address):
Layer:
MAC Address: Operates at the data link layer (Layer 2) of the OSI model.
Uniqueness:
MAC Address: Unique physical address assigned to each network interface card (NIC) or network adapter. It is usually hard-coded into the hardware by the manufacturer.
Format:
MAC Address: Expressed as a 12-digit hexadecimal number (e.g., 00:1A:2B:3C:4D:5E), where each pair of digits represents a byte.
Scope:
MAC Address: Local to a specific network segment. Routers, which operate at the network layer (Layer 3), do not forward MAC addresses beyond their local network.
Function:
MAC Address: Used for local network communication, specifically for devices within the same network segment to identify and communicate with each other.
IP Address (Internet Protocol address):
Layer:
IP Address: Operates at the network layer (Layer 3) of the OSI model.
Uniqueness:
IP Address: Unique logical address assigned to each device on a network. IP addresses can be dynamically assigned (via DHCP) or statically assigned.
Format:
IP Address: Expressed as four sets of decimal numbers separated by dots (e.g., 192.168.0.1), where each set represents an 8-bit byte.
Scope:
IP Address: Can be global or local. IP addresses are used for communication between devices across different networks and can be routed across the internet.
Function:
IP Address: Used for routing packets between different networks. It provides a logical addressing scheme to uniquely identify devices on a network and facilitate communication across different network segments.
Relationship:
Interaction: In a typical scenario, devices communicate within a local network using MAC addresses, while IP addresses are used for communication between different networks, including the internet.
Layer Interaction: The MAC address is more associated with the physical hardware and works at a lower layer, while the IP address is a logical address associated with network communication and operates at a higher layer.
Example: When a device on a local network wants to communicate with another device on the same network, it uses MAC addresses. When it wants to communicate with a device on a different network, it uses IP addresses.
In summary, MAC addresses are used for local network communication within the same network segment, while IP addresses are used for broader network communication, including routing data between different network segments and the internet.