Thread: What is MAC

The MAC address is a unique value associated with a network adapter. MAC addresses are also known as hardware addresses or physical addresses. They uniquely identify an adapter on a LAN.

MAC addresses are 12-digit hexadecimal numbers (48 bits in length). By convention, MAC addresses are usually written in one of the following two formats:

MM:MM:MM:SS:SS:SS

MM-MM-MM-SS-SS-SS

The first half of a MAC address contains the ID number of the adapter manufacturer. These IDs are regulated by an Internet standards body. The second half of a MAC address represents the serial number assigned to the adapter by the manufacturer. In the example,

00.02.8a.01.de.0e

MAC Address
Prefix Vendor
00028A Ambit Microsystems


MAC address Vendor Codes

minor addition
all Electronic Network related objects have a mac address assigned to them...
example : printers, lan-card, modems etc.

what intrigues me is that I heard in some modems/routers the mac add can be manually changed. If info the source is wrong then its all-rite but if its right, then how can we say mac-add to be unique ???

Well for network cards, you can change the MAC address in software(operating system), i.e instead of reporting the original MAC your card will show whatever MAC address you set it to. This is called MAC spoofing or MAC address spoofing. Generally only useful to hackers who want to hide their equipment.

The original manufacturer assigned MAC is still present in your hardware cannot be modified.

Additional info

Logical Address + Offset = Physical address

Thats not useful .... but its always good to know

similar to IMEI (International Mobile Equipment Identity) number in Mobile handsets ?

yes you can say like that only

its a unique ID number

Originally Posted by macotto

In the example,

00.02.8a.01.de.0e

MAC Address
Prefix Vendor
00028A Ambit Microsystems

plus, no computer in the world will have same MAC address of your computer.

Nice thread.

Repo awarded.

Originally Posted by Jaganathsamal

Let me tell you that changing the pre assigned unique mac id is possible on any computer, very easily.

Thanks for sharing.

1. What is the procedure?
2. I think it will be still traceable. ?

lot of tools are available. one such tool is Mac Makeup.

Peoples change their MAC address to bypass access restrictions through MAC. In some hotels, they allow internet access based on MAC address registration in their router. Once you are able to find those allowed MAC addresses, you can use this tool just to bypass their restrictions.

one more scenario is when you dont want to leave any traces of your details while accessing internet.

When you change your MAC address from your default vendor address to any other, then technique is called MAC Spoofing. Its a kind of hacking technique too

Like websites can see our IP, can they see our Mac ID. Or is it limited to BSNL or our ISP to find out our Mac ID. Is it illegal to change it.

Websites cannot see your MAC address unless they use any ActiveX to do it. But you will get a prompt when such sites try to install ActiveX in your computer.

Inside a LAN, MAC information is used to route packets. To put in clear words, when you have 4 computers connected in your home router. You may access share drive in any computer using IP address (say 192.168.1.24) but router tries to find MAC address of the computer to communicate. Once it finds the MAC address of 192.168.1.24, it registers in its table. So whenever you try to access 192.168.1.24, it uses its table to refer MAC address. (it keeps updating this table also)

If you want to see the table in your computer...try "arp -a" command.
you will see your router's MAC address there. This is because you are accessing your modem (as it is gateway for all your traffic) .

Likewise, your ISP will have your Modem's MAC address with them and not your computer's.

Am I confusing you?

Your presentation is quite simple.

Useful info. Thanks for sharing.

@skap

Rep++++

Thanks dude!
500th post!!!