Discover the key differences between a MAC address and an IP address in this informative guide. Learn how MAC addresses uniquely identify devices on a local network, while IP addresses facilitate communication over the internet. Understand their roles, formats, and how they work together to ensure seamless connectivity in computer networks.

In data communication, it is important to have device identification. Why is this important? Yes, identifying devices on a network is important to create communication between devices on a network. If there is no identification, what can happen is that there will be errors in sending information because one device cannot know how to communicate with the other device. In this identification process, an IP address and MAC address are required. Both are address identifiers for a device in a computer network with different functions.

What is Meant by IP Address

Before going into the differences between IP Address and MAC Address, it would be good for us to know the meaning of both. IP Address is a numeric address consisting of binary numbers given to every device connected to a computer network with Internet Protocol (IP). An IP address consists of a 32-bit to 128-bit binary number which is used as an identification address for each host computer on the Internet network. Where 32-bit is used for IPv4 and 128-bit is used for IPv6 on
TCP/IP-based Internet networks

IP addresses are generally provided by DHCP (Dynamic Host Configuration Protocol) network administrators or ISPs (Internet Service Providers), which means devices can have the same IP address if they are on different networks. Did you know that the IP Address consists of two parts, namely Host ID and Network ID. The two are separated by a subnet mask. Network ID functions to determine the computer network address, and Host ID functions as the host address for devices such as computers, routers, switches. So it can be said that an IP Address is able to provide a complete address and network address to a host wherever that host is located.

Difference between IP Address and MAC Address

In managing IP addresses, there is a server application that is responsible for the process of translating hostnames into IP addresses, namely DNS (Domain Name System) . IP Address is used to assign a unique address to each device in a TCP/IP network. IP Address also functions in directing all traffic on the internet.

Format: Consists of two versions, namely IPv4 and IPv6 . IPv4 (ex : 192.168.1.1) and IPv6 (ex : 2001:0db8:85a3:0000:0000:8a2e:0370:7334)

Function: Shoots data packets from the router to the correct device, identifying the address on a device.

What is a MAC Address (Media Access Control Address)

MAC Address is a unique address assigned by the NIC embedded in network hardware, such as a network card, which generally cannot be changed over time. This means that no device has the same MAC address in the world. The MAC address is assigned by the device manufacturer and embedded in the NIC. MAC Addresses are commonly used in several technologies such as  IEEE 802, including Ethernet  ,  Wi-Fi  , and  Bluetooth.

Format: Consists of hexadecimal format with two digits in each octet and separated by a colon (ex: 01:23:45:67:89:ab).

Function: Provides unique identification for each device at the physical level at the data link layer. and is used to control access to the network using the MAC Filtering method.

Also Read : IPV4 VS IPV6

Difference Between a Mac Address and an IP Address

Even though at first glance these two addresses have the same function as identifiers, they are different in various aspects. The following is the Difference Between a Mac Address and an IP Address

, namely

Objective

IP addresses are used to identify device connections on a network and devices on a computer network. MAC address is used to identify the unique address of the physical device.

Address type

Software based IP address. MAC address is a physical or hardware-based address.

Address Provider

IP addresses are assigned by the network administrator, ISP or DHCP. The MAC address is assigned by the device manufacturer and embedded in the NIC.

Address Length

IP addresses are 32 bits or 128 bits long. MAC addresses are 48 bits long.

Also Read : Computer Network Components

Device Identification

IP Address allows a device to be identified globally on the internet. MAC Address provides a unique identity within the local network

Traffic Routes

IP Address is able to direct data packets along the correct path. MAC Address is capable of sending data directly between devices on a network.

Network Monitoring

IP Address is able to detect problematic devices on the network. MAC Address helps in resolving Local Network (LAN) problems

Operations on OSI Layers

IP Address operates at the Data Link Layer (Layer 2). MAC Address operates at the Network Layer layer (Layer 3)

Conclusion

We can conclude that Difference Between a Mac Address and an IP Address have fundamental differences from several aspects. IP Address functions to logically identify devices on the network. Meanwhile, the MAC Address is physical and unique for each device, playing a role in identifying the device at the hardware level. By understanding this difference, it is hoped that it can help network administrators to manage their networks well.

Source

Niswati, L.N. (2003). Get to know Network Packets. Semarang: Computer Science eLearning Community. Com .

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/MAC_address

Author: Meilina Eka Ayuningtyas