A MAC address, short for “Media Access Control address,” is a unique identifier assigned to a network interface card (NIC) or other network devices. It is a 48-bit number typically written in hexadecimal format, such as 00:11:22:33:44:55. Each MAC address is guaranteed to be globally unique, ensuring that devices can be uniquely identified on a network.
MAC addresses play a crucial role in network communication. They are used to identify devices on a network, allowing them to communicate with each other. Additionally, MAC addresses are used for access control, ensuring that only authorized devices can connect to a network.