ETHERNET ADDRESS Meaning and
Definition
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An Ethernet address, also referred to as a Media Access Control (MAC) address, is a unique identifier assigned to each network interface controller (NIC) in a computer network. It is a hardware address that serves the purpose of identifying and locating devices within an Ethernet network.
Consisting of 48 bits or 6 bytes, an Ethernet address is typically represented in a hexadecimal format, with each byte separated by colons or hyphens. The first three bytes of the address are known as the Organizationally Unique Identifier (OUI) and correspond to the manufacturer or vendor that produced the NIC. The remaining three bytes uniquely identify the specific NIC.
Ethernet addresses are crucial in enabling communication and data exchange in an Ethernet network. When a device wants to send data to another device, it needs to know the Ethernet address of the intended recipient. By analyzing the destination Ethernet address in the data frame, network switches and routers can determine the appropriate path for delivering the data.
These addresses are “burned-in” or permanently assigned to the NIC during the manufacturing process and cannot be modified easily. However, they can be spoofed or changed using specialized software tools, which can have both legitimate and nefarious applications.
Ethernet addresses play a vital role in the functioning and management of computer networks, as they allow for the efficient and reliable transmission of data packets between devices.
Common Misspellings for ETHERNET ADDRESS
- wthernet address
- sthernet address
- dthernet address
- rthernet address
- 4thernet address
- 3thernet address
- erhernet address
- efhernet address
- eghernet address
- eyhernet address
- e6hernet address
- e5hernet address
- etgernet address
- etbernet address
- etnernet address
- etjernet address
- etuernet address
- etyernet address
- ethwrnet address
- ethsrnet address
Etymology of ETHERNET ADDRESS
The term "Ethernet address" is derived from the combination of two words: Ethernet and address.
- Ethernet: Ethernet is a widely used technology for connecting computers and other devices in a local area network (LAN). It was developed by Xerox Corporation's Palo Alto Research Center (PARC) in the 1970s. The name "Ethernet" was chosen by the inventors Robert Metcalfe and David Boggs and is a nod to the idea of a network that functions like an interconnected nervous system.
- Address: In the context of networking protocols, an address is a unique identifier given to a network interface or device. It allows the devices to communicate with each other within a network.
Therefore, the term "Ethernet address" specifically refers to the unique identifier associated with a network interface in an Ethernet network. It is often referred to as a MAC (Media Access Control) address.
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