Then, select the name of the network you're on and click Advanced. First, go to System Preferences, then select Network. Mac OS Xįinding it on a Mac computer is a bit different. More specifically, it will provide the MAC address next to the Physical Address label. This will show quite a bit of information. To find the address on a Windows computer, type ipconfig /all from the Command Prompt and press Enter. For example, some well-known manufacturers OUI (although some manufacturers may have more than one) are shown below.ĭell: 00-14-22 How to find your MAC address Windows 10 Here is an example:Īlso, each manufacturer has its own unique identifier within the address known as the Organizationally Unique Identifier (OUI). The MAC address is a combination of numbers, letters, and colons. This makes it easy for network administrators to pinpoint problems with specific devices that are sending and receiving data on the network. Furthermore, the address is sometimes used in data recovery to connect to a wireless device.Īdditionally, MAC addresses can be used to diagnose network problems because in most cases, they never change. This way, even if the IP address changes, the router still identifies the device. To prevent unauthorized access to a network, the router only accepts devices specific to it. The reason for the MAC address is to identify the device on a wireless network. The NIC is what communicates your MAC address to the network, enabling the connection.

Usually, MAC addresses are tied to a component in your device referred to as a network interface controller (NIC). Once again, the manufacturer defines the MAC address and for most devices the end user cannot modify it. Because the number is assigned to the physical device by the manufacturer, in most cases it can't be changed by the user. This gives the device the ability to connect to a network, which is necessary for the device to connect to the Internet. When every Internet-capable device begins in development, the manufacturer assigns each device's network adapter a unique address to identify it on network interfaces. Think of the MAC address like a sort of serial code or physical network address that identities the device to the network.

Unlike Internet Protocol (IP) addresses, the manufacturer assigns MAC addresses to their devices at the factory. What is a MAC address?Ī MAC (Media Access Control) address identifies your physical device in order to connect to a network. In this article, we'll discuss the MAC address and break down what it is, what it looks like, and how to find it on your device. Additionally, just like physical mail, getting the data to the right place is all about the address. No matter how you're connecting to the Internet, it always takes a variety of software and hardware working together to allow communication from your device to other devices.

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