MAC

Media Access Control

MAC refers to a unique identifier assigned to a network interface controller (NIC) for use as a network address in communications within a network segment. This identifier is used as a network address for most IEEE 802 network technologies, including Ethernet and Wi-Fi.

Key points about MAC addresses include:

1. Uniqueness: Each MAC address is intended to be unique to a specific device. This uniqueness is crucial for the effective functioning of network protocols.
2. Format: A MAC address is typically a 48-bit number (6 bytes). It’s often represented in hexadecimal format and separated by colons or hyphens, like 00:1A:2B:3C:4D:5E.
3. Assignment: MAC addresses are generally assigned by the manufacturer of the network interface card and are stored in its hardware, such as the card’s read-only memory or other firmware mechanisms.
4. Function: In the OSI model, the MAC address operates at the data link layer (Layer 2). It helps control access to the physical medium for transporting data and plays a vital role in determining how network devices identify themselves on a network.

Understanding MAC addresses can be relevant in contexts like network-based customer tracking, Wi-Fi analytics (for instance, in retail stores tracking footfall via Wi-Fi signals), and in any situation where device-level network identification is important for strategy implementation or data analysis.