Question about the difference between mac address and ip

Each node in the Internet has a unique MAC address, why we still need to assign IP address to it?

Questions by louie810150

Showing Answers 1 - 6 of 6 Answers

ak

  • Dec 20th, 2012
 

IP address (network address) is just used for transferring information from one network to another network. Traveling of information among networks uses IP addresses. It is used to identity the network and host.

A MAC address (physical addresses) is used for distribution of information with in the network segment. The Ethernet uses MAC address to transfer data between hosts. When its used with IP network, the IP address is resolved using ARP protocol to find the MAC address of the end device and the data is transmitted.

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nathsambu

  • Dec 20th, 2012
 

Mac address means physical address of a computer. We cannot change the mac address. Switch creates the mac table. Before sending the data, switch check whether that mac address is available into the same network or not. If yes, send the data to the destination point.

IP address is the identity of computer. we can change the IP address. IP address stores in the Routers.

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Rahul

  • Mar 14th, 2013
 

Mac Address is used by layer two device, it is 48 bit address, Mac Address is fixed and it is unique, like your Ethernet

Card it is also called BURN IN Address, No two ethernet card has same MAC address.

IP Address is 8 bit address, Layer Three device, IP address is divided into Network and Host, It is used to communicate between network.

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SWARUP

  • Mar 28th, 2016
 

MAC stands for Media Access Control. It is the address of the device identified at Media Access Control Layer of Network Architecture. Similar to IP address MAC address is unique address, i.e., no two device can have same MAC address. MAC address is stored at the Read Only Memory (ROM) of the device.

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sukhchain singh

  • Apr 28th, 2016
 

MAC (Media access controller) is physical address of our PC. Basically it is the address of our PCs LAN chip which is available on motherboard just near LAN card in our PC. It is 48 bit address. It is used for data transfer.

IP address is logically IP address of our PC. We manually provide IP to our system and we can also change it. It is used only for communication purpose.

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Rahul

  • Oct 20th, 2016
 

Mac address is 6Byte or 48bit address and is used by datalink layer or by technology. Mac address is unique address.

While IP address is a 4Byte or 32Bit Address used by network layer.

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