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In the world of networking, there are two addresses you’ll hear about often: MAC addresses and IP addresses. While both are crucial for devices to communicate, they serve very different purposes.

IP Address Vs MAC Address – each playing a unique role to ensure your devices can connect and exchange data seamlessly

IP Address

• • IP = Internet Protocol

• • An IP address is a logical identifier assigned to a device to allow communication over a network, especially the internet. It is just like a postal address, it is assigned dynamically by your network or ISP (Internet Service Provider) and can change depend on where your device connect.

• • They are assigned when a device joins a network to make them traceable

• • 2 Types of IP – IPv4 & IPv6

• • Your Router will have the internet visible IP address but will assign a private IP address to your computer and every other device on its network.

• • If directly connected, your computer will have the internet visible IP address.

Format:

• • IPv4: 192.168.1.1 (4 numbers from 0 to 255)

• • IPv6: 2001:0db8:85a3:0000:0000:8a2e:0370:7334 (longer format)

Uniqueness:
Unique within a given network. Public IP addresses are globally unique, private IPs are unique within local networks.

• • Where it’s used:
    Operates at the Network Layer (Layer 3) of the OSI model.
    Used for routing data between different networks (e.g., from your home to a website).

• • Analogy:
    Like a mailing address – it tells the network where to deliver data.

MAC Address

• • MAC = Machine(Media) Access Control

• • A MAC address is a hardware identifier assigned to a device’s network interface card (NIC) by the manufacturer. It is like permanent name tag of your device’s network interface. Every device connects to your network – like Phone, Laptop, Smart TV, Smart Fridge etc. has unique MAC Address.

• • MAC addresses are typically used only to direct packets from one device to the next as data travels on a network.

• • Can’t be hidden but doesn’t travel beyond the local network.

• • Format:
    Usually written in hexadecimal, like 00:1A:2B:3C:4D:5E
    (6 pairs of characters)

• • Uniqueness:
    Designed to be globally unique. No two devices should have the same MAC address (though it can be spoofed or changed).

• • Where it’s used:
    Operates at the Data Link Layer (Layer 2) of the OSI model.
    Used within a local network (e.g., home Wi-Fi or LAN).

• • Analogy:
    Like a serial number on a device – doesn’t change no matter where the device goes.