A MAC (Media Access Control) address is a unique identifier assigned to network interfaces for

communications on a network segment. It's used as a hardware address for most network
technologies, including Ethernet and Wi-Fi. MAC addresses are typically assigned by the
manufacturer and are stored in the network card's hardware. They are used for identifying devices
on a network at the data link layer of the OSI model.

1. Format: A MAC address is usually represented as six groups of two hexadecimal digits,
separated by colons or hyphens. For example, 00:1A:2B:3C:4D:5E.

2. Uniqueness: Each MAC address is intended to be globally unique. Manufacturers are

assigned a range of addresses, and they are responsible for ensuring that each device they
produce has a unique MAC address.

3. Function: MAC addresses are used by the Data Link layer of the OSI model to identify devices
on a local network. When data is sent over a network, it includes the MAC address of both
the source and destination devices. This allows routers and switches to determine where to
forward the data.

4. Changing MAC addresses: While MAC addresses are intended to be static, some devices
allow users to change them. This can be useful for privacy or security reasons, but it's
important to note that changing a MAC address can cause networking issues if multiple
devices on the same network have the same address.

5. Locating MAC addresses: On most devices, you can find the MAC address in the device's
network settings. It may also be printed on the device itself, usually on a label or sticker.