What is the difference between IP address and MAC address

IP addresses (Internet Protocol addresses) and MAC addresses (Media Access Control addresses) are two distinct identifiers used in networking, but they serve different purposes and operate at different layers of the network protocol stack.

IP Address:

1. Definition:
   • An IP address is a numerical label assigned to each device connected to a computer network that uses the Internet Protocol for communication. IP addresses are used to identify and locate devices in a network.
2. Layer:
   • Operates at the network layer (Layer 3) of the OSI model.
3. Assignment:
   • IP addresses can be assigned dynamically (via DHCP) or statically. Dynamic IP addresses may change over time, while static IP addresses remain constant.
4. Format:
   • IPv4 addresses are typically represented as four sets of numbers separated by dots (e.g., 192.168.0.1). IPv6 addresses, which are becoming more prevalent, have a different format.
5. Routing:
   • IP addresses are essential for routing data between devices on a network. Routers use IP addresses to forward data to the correct destination.
6. Subnetting:
   • IP addresses are often organized into subnets to optimize network management and organization.

MAC Address:

1. Definition:
   • A MAC address is a unique identifier assigned to network interfaces for communications on a physical network. It is embedded in the hardware of the network adapter and is used for addressing within the local network.
2. Layer:
   • Operates at the data link layer (Layer 2) of the OSI model.
3. Uniqueness:
   • MAC addresses are globally unique, and no two devices should have the same MAC address.
4. Format:
   • MAC addresses are typically represented as six pairs of hexadecimal digits separated by colons (e.g., 00:1A:2B:3C:4D:5E).
5. Device Identification:
   • MAC addresses are used for device identification within a local network. They play a crucial role in Ethernet networks, and switches use MAC addresses to forward data to the correct port.
6. Static:
   • MAC addresses are hardcoded into the network interface during manufacturing and do not change. They remain constant for the lifetime of the device.