Mac address
A MAC address is a link-layer identifier assigned to a network interface for communication over a local network link.
Acing the CCNA Exam: Volume 1 Fundamentals and Protocols
A MAC address is a 48-bit link-layer address assigned to a network-device port, normally by the device manufacturer, for local hop-to-hop delivery.
- How it is used
- Explains Layer 2 hop-to-hop delivery and switching decisions within a LAN.
- How deep it goes
- Defines 48-bit formatting, frame fields, switching behavior, ARP learning, and routed-hop changes.
- Examples
- Uses PC1-to-SRV1 routed hops, Ethernet frames, switch learning, broadcasts, and ARP resolution for a default gateway.
- What you can do after
- Apply MAC addressing to identify next-hop frames and interpret switch learning, forwarding, flooding, and ARP exchanges.
Read how Acing the CCNA Exam: Volume 1 Fundamentals and Protocols explains mac address →
Rust in Action: Systems programming concepts and techniques
A MAC address is a link-layer identifier assigned to a network interface for communication on a local physical or wireless link.
- How it is used
- Distinguishes local-link hardware addressing from IP addressing while preparing a raw TCP networking exercise.
- How deep it goes
- Explains byte width, administration forms, transmission modes, and flag bits, then implements generation without detailing complete Ethernet frame processing.
- Examples
- Uses address-layout figures, unicast and multicast comparisons, and a Rust macgen program for virtual hardware.
- What you can do after
- Build it from scratch in Rust using random bytes, six-byte storage, hexadecimal formatting, and local-unicast flag assignment.
Read how Rust in Action: Systems programming concepts and techniques explains mac address →
Related concepts
- eui-64 keywordused by · The eui-64 keyword is a Cisco IOS interface-addressing keyword that requests automatic generation of an IPv6 interface identifier from the interface MAC address.
- network switchused by · A network switch is a device that connects devices within a local network and selectively forwards data-link-layer frames to their intended destinations.
- IP addresscontrasts with · An IP address is a numerical address used by the Internet Protocol to identify a network interface and support packet delivery across networks.
- arpused by · The Address Resolution Protocol is a local-network protocol that maps an IPv4 address to the corresponding link-layer address, typically a MAC address.
- authenticationcontrasts with · Authentication is the process of establishing or verifying the identity of a user, service, device, or other communicating entity.
These guides are generated from the text of Manning books by Manning's knowledge graph and link to the sections they draw on. The full books are available on liveBook and at manning.com.