Anyone who works with a computer is often aware of the term IP addresses as this familiar term comes up frequently when you use the Internet. However, there is also a MAC address, which is also a crucial component in your computing device. Let’s learn how many bits are in a MAC address in this article with other relative information about it!
1. How Many Bits are there in a MAC Address?
What are MAC Addresses’ formats?
MAC addresses come in many formats varying due to the network and the hardware it connects. However, all forms can be listed down to two typical formats of MAC addresses:
48 bits
A standard MAC address includes an array of 12 digits with 48 bits or 8 bytes.
As known, when mentioning 48-bit MAC addresses, MM:MM:MM:SS:SS:SS is their common arrangement. The two other extra configurations are MM-MM-MM-SS-SS-SS or MMM.MMM.SSS.SSS.
64 bits
There are circumstances where some special equipment requires the setting of a 64-bit MAC address, not a 48-bit, including remote home computerization frameworks, for instance.
When utilizing an IPv6 arrangement, there must be some changes in the settings. These systems interpret 48-bit systems to 64-bit organized by embedding FFFE esteem in the center. These identifiers help differentiate these two MAC addresses’ formats.
A 64-bit MAC address has the typical configuration of MM:MM:MM:FF:FE:SS:SS:SS.
What does the format mean?
These numbers can confuse you in the first place, but it is quite straightforward to access once you understand it. In the array of a MAC address, a first six digit represents the device’s specific manufacturer by 24 bits in the 48-bit network. Several different prefixes can be made from the same source.
On the other hand, the last six digits are represented as a serial number making up the remaining 24 bits.
This set of numbers defines your device unique from others. On the chance that your device has the same prefixes numbers, the serial number will differentiate them, making them individually separated.
On the other hand, if two devices have different prefixes but the same serial, they remain two different devices. So, every gadget will somehow have a remarkable MAC address, regardless of whether a similar producer made them.
What is MAC Address?
You may have known that an IP address will help identify your computer from thousands of machines out there, connecting your device to multiple other devices whenever a connection is required. Well, MAC addresses also have a quite similar mission of sorting and identifying your computer, but there are a couple of significant differences between an IP address and a MAC address.
MAC, its abbreviation, is an array of numbers that identify and separate your computer from other computers that are automatically assigned to network interfaces. MAC address is available in terms of 48 bits (or more) in every computing device that either has an ethernet, Bluetooth, or Wifi interface to distinguish the device. This kind of address can also likewise be utilized in different sorts of electrical innovations.
To access the MAC address in your device, you must obtain the operating system using commands. Similar to your computer’s IP address, your computer’s MAC address is individually unique.
How to find MAC address on a Device?
The MAC address can be easily accessible by some methods below:
- On your device, there is a label with a network or device card on it. The MAC address can usually be withdrawn from this place.
- Use Microchip MAC address chip, which can be found via SPI or I2C.
- Get an official identifier through your device’s manufacturer.
Does the MAC Address Need Changing?
The manufacturer’s device technically sets the MAC address’s number. It is embedded within the hardware and memory storage not to be altered manually by the user.
However, while upgrading the router or connecting to the Internet with their ISP, some clients can get trouble because of their MAC address format. Since the ISP includes a pre-setup connection with the format MAC address, the fact that you change any related equipment will cause the MAC to change. Otherwise, you cannot connect the Internet and solve associated problems.
And here comes the situation where MAC address cloning becomes crucial. The ISP in the current situation will connect the new settings to the previous MAC address to make sure that the network is not crashed.
Once the ISP has approved and sent a notice to the new device, the cloning procedure will change the MAC address format, making the connection stable again with no interference detected.
Assuming, in any case, you are deciding to refresh your hardware, a speedy call to your ISP likely helps clear up any assistance issues brought about by MAC tends to that don’t coordinate.
And that’s everything you need to know about the answer to “How many bits are in a MAC address?” We hope that you are clear about MAC addresses to become more knowledgeable about computing devices. See you soon in our next IT-related article!
