Every network adaptor has a unique identity in the form of a _______.
MAC address
Understanding Network Adaptor Identity
A network adaptor, also known as a Network Interface Card (NIC), is a hardware component that connects a computer or other device to a computer network. For devices to communicate effectively over a network, each network adaptor needs a unique identifier. Let's examine the given options to determine this unique identity.
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Dynamic IP address: An IP (Internet Protocol) address is a numerical label assigned to each device connected to a computer network that uses the Internet Protocol for communication. A dynamic IP address is one that is assigned temporarily from a pool of addresses, typically by a DHCP (Dynamic Host Configuration Protocol) server. While it identifies a device on a network at a specific time, it is not a permanent, unique identifier for the hardware adaptor itself.
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Static IP address: A static IP address is an IP address that is permanently assigned to a device. Unlike dynamic IP addresses, they do not change. However, a static IP address identifies the device's location on a network from a software/protocol perspective (Layer 3 of the OSI model), not the unique physical hardware of the network adaptor.
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TCP/IP: TCP/IP (Transmission Control Protocol/Internet Protocol) is a suite of communication protocols used to interconnect network devices on the internet. It is a set of rules for how data should be packaged, addressed, transmitted, routed, and received. TCP/IP itself is not an identifier for a network adaptor.
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MAC address: A MAC (Media Access Control) address is a unique identifier assigned to a Network Interface Controller (NIC) for use as a network address in communications within a network segment. MAC addresses are typically assigned by the manufacturer of the network hardware and are often burned into the firmware of the network adaptor. It is a physical address (Layer 2 of the OSI model) that is intended to be globally unique, providing a distinct identity for each network adaptor.
Based on the definitions, the MAC address is the unique hardware identity permanently associated with every network adaptor.
Comparing MAC and IP Addresses
It's important to distinguish between MAC addresses and IP addresses as they serve different purposes in network communication.
| Feature | MAC Address | IP Address |
|---|---|---|
| Layer | Data Link Layer (Layer 2) | Network Layer (Layer 3) |
| Purpose | Identifies the network adaptor hardware | Identifies the device's location on a network for routing |
| Assigned By | Hardware Manufacturer | Network Administrator or DHCP server |
| Format | Usually 6 groups of two hexadecimal digits (e.g., 00:1A:2B:3C:4D:5E) | IPv4: Four numbers (0-255) separated by dots (e.g., 192.168.1.1) IPv6: Eight groups of four hexadecimal digits (e.g., 2001:0db8:85a3:0000:0000:8a2e:0370:7334) |
| Uniqueness | Globally unique (intended) | Unique within a specific network |
Therefore, the unique identity in the form of a physical address associated with every network adaptor is the MAC address.
Revision Table: Key Networking Identifiers
| Term | Description | Type |
|---|---|---|
| Network Adaptor (NIC) | Hardware component connecting a device to a network. | Hardware |
| MAC Address | Unique hardware address assigned to a NIC by the manufacturer. Used for local network communication. | Physical/Hardware Address |
| IP Address | Address assigned to a device for identification and routing on a network. Can be dynamic or static. | Logical/Network Address |
| TCP/IP | A suite of protocols governing data transmission over the internet. | Protocol Suite |
Additional Information: MAC Address Structure and Use
A MAC address is a 48-bit number, usually represented as 12 hexadecimal digits grouped in pairs, separated by hyphens, colons, or dots. The first 24 bits typically identify the organizationally unique identifier (OUI), which is assigned to the hardware manufacturer by the IEEE. The remaining 24 bits are assigned by the manufacturer and are unique for each device produced by that manufacturer.
MAC addresses are primarily used at the Data Link Layer (Layer 2) to deliver data frames between devices on the same local network segment. ARP (Address Resolution Protocol) is used to map an IP address (Layer 3) to a MAC address (Layer 2) on a local network, allowing data to be sent to the correct physical device.
Important Questions from Concept of Layering
Match the following:
List - I
List - II
A. Data link layer
I. Encryption
B. Network layer
II. Connection control
C. Transport layer
III. Routing
D. Presentation layer
IV. Framing
Match List I with List II
List I
List II
(A) Serial Line IP (SLIP)
(I) Application layer)
(B) Border Gateway Protocol (BGP)
(II) Transport layer
(C) User Data Protocol (UDP)
(III) Data Link layer
(D) Simple Network Management
(IV) Network layer
Choose the correct answer from the options given below:
Match List I with List II:
List I List II (A) Physical layer (I) Routing of the signals divide the outgoing message into packets. to act as network controller for routing data (B) Data link layer (II) Make and break connections, define voltages and data rates, convert data bits into electrical signal (C) Network layer (III) Synchronization, error detection and correction. To assemble outgoing message into frames. (D) Presentation layer (IV) It works as a translating layer Choose the correct answer from the options given below:
Match List I with List II
List I List II A. Data Link Layer I. True end‐to‐end layer B. Network Layer II. Token Management C. Transport Layer III. Produce billing information D. Session Layer IV. Piggybacking Choose the correct answer from the options given below :
Match List I with List II
LIST I
LIST II
A.
Physical layer
I.
Transforming the raw bits in the form of frame for transmission
B.
Data Link Layer
II.
Control and monitoring of subnet
C.
Network layer
III.
Transmission of raw bits over communication channel
D.
Transport layer
IV.
Datagrams transmission data through connection oriented or connectionless using datagram
Choose the correct answer from the options given below:
