What is MAC Address

What is MAC Address#160573

By Silvester Norman - Mon Jun 17, 2013 2:11 am

- Mon Jun 17, 2013 2:11 am #160573

Hey guys, can anyone please let me know what a MAC Address is in computer terms? I also want to know how can we Change MAC Address without using the software of any sort.

Last edited by Silvester Norman on Mon Jun 17, 2013 10:47 pm, edited 2 times in total.

Re: What is MAC Address#160578

By fll-freak - Mon Jun 17, 2013 5:27 am

- Mon Jun 17, 2013 5:27 am #160578

MAC is a unique hardware address. It is the lowest level identification of a computer network node. each Ethernet card is assigned a unique id number in the form of 6 hex digits. If you type iconfig or ifconfig into most computers command line, they will spit out the unique number. Some computers allow you to modify the MAC address, but most the address is hardcoded into the hardware by the vendor.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/MAC_address

-Skye Sweeney

http://www.fll-freak.com/blog

Re: What is MAC Address#160581

By n1ist - Mon Jun 17, 2013 6:10 am

- Mon Jun 17, 2013 6:10 am #160581

If you need to get one, Microchip sells small roms that come pre-programmed with a unique MAC address. For personal projects, I often use the one printed on an ethernet card in the scrap bin at work.
/mike

Re: What is MAC Address#160642

By stevech - Mon Jun 17, 2013 11:43 pm

- Mon Jun 17, 2013 11:43 pm #160642

You can use a self-assigned MAC address. The OUI (now EUI) numbering scheme has 2 or 3 bits in the most significant byte - that if set to the self-managed code, you can use whatever other bit patterns you wish. The only restriction is that such a self-administered MAC address cannot appear on the public Internet - which it wouldn't in all likelihood based on how you get Internet access.

If I recall correctly, its a 0x02 in the MSByte

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