The MAC address, also known as the Media Access Control address, is a unique identifier assigned to network interfaces for communication on a network. It is a hardware address typically associated with Ethernet and Wi-Fi network interfaces. The MAC address is made up of 12 hexadecimal characters, typically separated by colons or hyphens but without any spaces or special characters. Here's an example of what a MAC address might look like:
00:1A:2B:3C:4D:5E
Each set of two characters represents a byte, with a total of six bytes comprising the MAC address. The first three bytes are assigned by the manufacturer, known as the OUI (Organizationally Unique Identifier), which helps identify the vendor or manufacturer of the network interface. The remaining three bytes are usually assigned by the manufacturer, ensuring a globally unique address for each network interface.
It's worth mentioning that MAC addresses are typically assigned at the factory and don't change unless the network interface is replaced or modified. They serve as a crucial component in network communication, enabling devices to identify and communicate with each other within a local area network (LAN).