You can use Media Access Control (MAC) and Internet Protocol (IP) addresses to identify a specific device on the Internet. An IP address identifies a device globally by checking its network connection, while a MAC address provides local identification by providing a device’s precise location. The Network Interface Controller (NIC) manufacturer generates your MAC address, while your Internet Service Provider (ISP) provides your IP address.
A network packet needs an IP address and a MAC address to reach its destination. In this article, we’ll compare MAC address vs IP address to understand how both work.
Table of contents:
MAC Address vs. IP Address
MAC Address
What is a MAC Address?
You can use a MAC address to identify a device on the local network and can be referred to as physical or hardware addresses. The address is provided by a NIC, which creates communication segments to enable different systems on the same network to communicate. IEEE 802 networking technologies such as Internet, Wi-Fi, and Bluetooth rely on MAC addresses to identify devices in their local network.
The MAC address operates in Layer 2, also called the data link layer, which enables devices to connect and communicate with each other. Through the data link layer, the address can identify a network in a Local Area Network (LAN).
A MAC address is a 6-byte hexadecimal number of 12-digit hexadecimal digits. A good example is 01-23-45-67-89-BC. The numbers are arranged in pairs separated by dashes or colons.
Types of MAC Address
MAC addresses consist of three different types:
- Unicast: This is the most common type of MAC address that’s always unique to specific network devices. The MAC address can only identify a single device within a network. Only one NIC can receive the frame if the Least significant bit (LSB) if the first octet is zero.
- Multicast: Multicast MAC address represents NICs in Layer 2. You can use it for one-to-many communications. This means different devices receive the address that have subscribed to the multicast address. The LSB of the first octet is set to 1 in a multicast address and begins with the prefix 01-00-5E.
- Broadcast: When all devices within a network share data with their host, it’s referred to as broadcast MAC address. The address enables one-to-all communications, meaning that their data packets are addressed to all the devices in the network. All bits in a broadcast MAC address are set to 1.
Importance of MAC Address
MAC addresses on a network are unique to a specific device, enabling it to serve as a unique identifier for devices connected to a network. It has networking protocols within the data collection layer, ensuring all packets go to the right address.
The static nature of MAC addresses makes it easy to perform network diagnostics. They also provide a reliable means for a network administrator to identify senders and receivers on a specific network.
IP Address
What is an IP Address?
IP addresses are unique identifiers for network connections of specific systems. They allow different devices to communicate on a network. IP addresses work with a global network, identifying a device’s network connection as a logical address.
IP address operates in Layer 3, which is the network layer.
Types of an IP address
IP addresses come in two different versions IPv4 and IPv6. The difference between the two depends on usage, availability, and purpose.
- IPv4: The first version of IP address was built around IPv4. It consists of 32 bits written in four octets with decimal numbers separated by periods. An example of IPv4 is 192.0.2.127. IPv4 is transitioning to IPv6 due to the increased number of devices connected to the Internet.
- IPv6: IPv6 consists of 128 bits, with the first 64 used for network identification and the second 64 for device identification on the Internet. It is written in eight sets with four hexadecimal digits separated by colons.
IPv4 and IPv6 versions are categorized into public and private IP addresses depending on their usage. Public addresses are assigned by ISPs and work by identifying a device on a public network. Private IP addresses are assigned to devices that use private networks, such as homes or offices.
Importance of an IP address
An IP address makes it easy for a managed service provider to identify networks. They also get information on data and shared networks. Every computer connected to the Internet has an IP address, which helps them communicate on the Internet or over a LAN.
Without IP addresses, devices connected to the Internet cannot communicate. Different devices, such as computers, tablets, and phones, easily communicate with websites using an IP address.
What’s the Difference Between MAC and IP Addresses?
MAC address can determine a device’s physical address, while IP address identifies a device on a network. Here is a table representing the MAC address vs IP address.
| MAC address | IP address |
| MAC address is provided by NIC card’s manufacturer | IP address is provided by the Internet service provider |
| Used on the local network to identify a device’s physical location | Operates on Layer 3, also known as network layer |
| Used on the local network to identify a device’s physical location | Operates on the global network used to identify devices on the Internet |
| Are permanent since they can’t be changed | Can be changed depending on the environment or time |
| 48-bit address expressed in the hexadecimal format with dots, hyphens, or colons | IPv4 uses 32-bit, and IPv6 uses 128-bit addresses in hexadecimal notations |
| A hardware-based address | A software-based address |
| Used for broadcasting | Used for broadcasting and multicasting |
| Uses no network classes | Uses network classes including A, B, C, D, and E |
How Domotz Uses MAC and IP Addresses
Domotz IT infrastructure monitoring and management solution will provide you with a comprehensive network monitoring and management by utilizing both MAC and IP addresses. Here’s how:
- Asset Discovery and Classification: Domotz automatically scans your network using MAC addresses to identify devices connected to the network. Since MAC addresses are hardware-specific and do not change, they enable Domotz to keep track of each device regardless of any IP address changes.
- Network Topology Mapping: Domotz continuously monitors devices by their IP addresses, which helps to keep track of their current status and activity within the network. If a device’s IP address changes (due to DHCP, for instance), Domotz can still accurately identify and associate the device through its MAC address. This dual identification ensures consistent and precise monitoring.
- Real-Time Alerts: Domotz leverages MAC and IP addresses to provide real-time alerts about network changes, unauthorized devices, or connectivity issues. By correlating the data from both addresses, Domotz delivers insights that help in troubleshooting network issues quickly and efficiently.
- Advanced Network Performance & Security: The ability to track both MAC and IP addresses translates in enhanced network security. It helps identify new or unknown devices as soon as they connect to the network, providing administrators with the ability to take action if necessary.
In essence, Domotz uses MAC and IP addresses to ensure comprehensive device discovery, continuous monitoring, and reliable network management.
Conclusion
To sum up, a computer networking infrastructure depends on both MAC and IP addresses. Both addresses are unique identifiers that connect to the systems on the Internet. The thing that distinguishes MAC address vs IP address is that one is a local network while the other one is a global network. Anyone who wants to understand the workings of network communications must understand the unique features and differences of MAC and IP addresses.
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