What is the Difference Between IP and MAC Address?

The primary difference between MAC and IP addresses lies in their purposes and scope:

1. Purpose: MAC addresses are used to identify a unique hardware device within a local network, while IP addresses are used to identify a device's network connection and its global identity on the internet.
2. Scope: MAC addresses operate at the data link layer (Layer 2) and are responsible for local identification within a network. IP addresses, on the other hand, operate at the network layer (Layer 3) and are responsible for global identification on the internet.

Here are some key differences between MAC and IP addresses:

• Format: MAC addresses are six-byte hexadecimal addresses, whereas IP addresses can be either four-byte (IPv4) or sixteen-byte (IPv6) addresses.
• Assignment: MAC addresses are assigned by the Network Interface Controller (NIC) manufacturer and are unique hardware identification numbers. IP addresses are assigned by the network administrator or Internet Service Provider (ISP).
• Visibility: MAC addresses are not routable over the internet, while IP addresses are used for routing and transmission of data packets over the internet.

In summary, MAC addresses are used for local communication within a network and provide a unique identifier for a device's hardware, while IP addresses are used for global communication over the internet and identify a device's network connection.

Comparative Table: IP vs MAC Address

Here is a table highlighting the differences between IP and MAC addresses:

In summary, IP addresses are used to identify devices on a network and route data across networks, while MAC addresses are used to identify devices within a local network and enable local communication.