MAC Address

A MAC address is a Layer 2 hardware identifier used for local network delivery.

Updated: 2026-03-05

Definition

A MAC address identifies a network interface on a local network segment.

Switches learn MAC addresses per port to forward frames efficiently.

Key points

Layer 2 identifier
Used within local broadcast domain
Stored in switch MAC address table

Common mistakes

Confusing MAC addressing with IP routing across networks.
Assuming MAC filtering is strong security by itself.

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Related terms

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