NetzwerkHardwareAdresse

NetzwerkHardwareAdresse refers to the unique identifier assigned to a network interface controller (NIC) by its manufacturer. This address is also commonly known as the MAC address (Media Access Control address). It is a 48-bit number, typically displayed as a sequence of twelve hexadecimal digits, often separated by colons or hyphens. The first half of the MAC address represents the organizationally unique identifier (OUI), which is assigned by the IEEE to specific manufacturers. The second half is a unique identifier assigned by the manufacturer to that specific network interface. Unlike IP addresses, which are assigned logically and can change, MAC addresses are burned into the hardware and are generally considered permanent. They are used at the data link layer of the OSI model to facilitate communication within a local network segment. Devices use MAC addresses to identify each other on a local network and to ensure data packets are delivered to the correct hardware. Routers and switches use MAC addresses to forward traffic efficiently within a local area network (LAN).