What is a MAC address?

MAC stands for Media Access Control. It’s either a 48-bit or 64-bit address given to a network adapter at the time of a computer’s manufacture.

A MAC address is the hardware address for that device. An IP address, on the other hand, is a software address. Both of these can be found in that particular computer’s Network Interface Card (NIC).

These addresses allow both hubs and switches to transmit data to a computer.