MAC addresses are most often assigned by the manufacturer of a network interface card (NIC) and are stored in its hardware, the card's read-only memory, or some other firmware mechanism. Logically, MAC addresses are used in the Media Access Control protocol sub-layer of the OSI reference model. MAC addresses are used for numerous network technologies and most IEEE 802 network technologies, including Ethernet. Nothing whatsoever to do with Serial Number.Įach network device aka wired or wireless has its own hardwired mac address and this can be changed via software on some models.Ī Media Access Control address (MAC address) is a unique identifier assigned to network interfaces for communications on the physical network segment.
