What is the purpose of a MAC address (Media Access Control address) in networking?
Question
What is the purpose of a MAC address (Media Access Control address) in networking?
Solution
The purpose of a MAC address in networking is to uniquely identify each device on a network. This is crucial for network communication because it allows data to be sent to the correct device. Here's a step-by-step explanation:
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Uniqueness: Each device's Network Interface Card (NIC) has a unique MAC address, which is usually assigned by the manufacturer. This ensures that each device on a network can be individually identified.
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Data Direction: When data is sent over a network, it needs to know where to go. The MAC address is used to direct data to the correct device.
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Network Communication: In a local network, devices communicate using their MAC addresses. When a device wants to send data to another, it includes the recipient's
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