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Understanding MAC Address
Understanding MAC Address Article covers the following CCNA/ICND1 Exam Topics:
Under Operation of IP Data Networks:
1. Recognize the purpose and functions of various network devices such as Routers, Switches, Bridges, and Hubs.
2. Select the components required to meet a given network specification.
3. Predict the data flow between two hosts across a network.
4. Identify the appropriate media, cables, ports, and connectors to connect Cisco network devices to other network
devices and hosts in a LAN.
Recommended Study Plan:
1. Download the ICND1v2 Exam Topics Sheet from Cisco Website.
2. Follow the Steps and the Articles under IP Networks Fundamentals by order.
3. Or start with Ethernet Standards Article.
Average Time Required Studying this Article: 1 Hour
Ethernet MAC Address
All Ethernet addresses (Including Unicast, Broadcast, and Multicast) are 6-byte-long ( 48-bit-Long) or 12-character
Hexadecimal Address. Most computers list this address as 12-digit Hexadecimal numbers. Cisco divides it to 3
groups: E.g. 2001.1111.1111
An Ethernet MAC address is a hardware address, therefore, it MUST uniquely identifies every Ethernet device in the
world. When vendors create network devices such Ethernet NICs, wireless devices, routers, and switches, they burn-
in these addresses into their devices.
A MAC address has few names, including Physical Address, Ethernet Address, Burned-in Address, and Hardware
Address. No matter what its called, it is a 12-character hexadecimal Address. Examples:
Cb54.5689.90cc (Cisco Way of sorting MAC Address)
18:40:58:76:90:hh (Windows and Linux Way of Sorting MAC Address)
Unicast Address: is another name for MAC address or an Ethernet Address. Every MAC addresses represent a
single NIC in the world; hence, it is called Unicast (Unique) Global Address.
In addition to unicast addresses, Ethernet also uses group addresses. Group addresses identify more than one LAN
interface card. A frame sent to a group of addresses might be delivered to a small set of devices on the LAN, or even
to all devices (everyone) on the LAN. So the IEEE defines categories of group addresses for Ethernet
communications:
Broadcast Address: (to everyone) Frames sent using this address should be delivered to all devices on the Ethernet
LAN. It is 12-digit Hexadecimal with value of FFFF.FFFF.FFFF inserted into the destination filed of the frame.
Multicast Address: (to a specific group) Frames sent using Multicast Ethernet address will be copied and forwarded
to a subset of devices on the LAN that volunteers to receive frames sent to a specific multicast address for specific
group only and NOT to everyone. It is 12-digit Hexadecimal with most of the time value of 0100.5E7F.XXXX, this is
an official (IANA) Multicast address.
*The Mostly used Ethernet address is:
Unicast Address, mostly known by Media Access Control (MAC) Address, or sometimes called Burned in Address
(BIA).
How would PC1 figure out R3s Unicast MAC Address for the first time?
In order to learn R3 MAC address, PC1 announces or broadcast through Address Resolution Protocol (ARP). PC1
sends broadcast frame using ARP Message Request, creates an IP packet indicating R3s IP Address (192.168.1.1)
as destination (which is known to PC1 through DHCP or Static IP configuration), and encapsulates the packet inside
a frame indicating an ARP Message Request as Broadcast address (FFFF.FFFF.FFFF) inside the frame.
After receiving an ARP Reply Message and learning R3s MAC address
PC1 can now use R3 as next hop for outside routing, and can create an IP Packet destined to Web-servers IP
address. PC1 in the following figure creates a new IP packet indicating this time Web-Servers IP address as
destination IP address (172.16.10.20), and encapsulates the IP packet inside a Frame heading to R3s MAC address
as next-hop since PC1 knows now the R3 MAC address.
Multicast frame used in special cases for a specific group of computers
The following figure shows a Multicast Frame message, e.g. from a Ghost-Server heading to group of computers on
the network and PC1 could be one of them. Usually, devices volunteer through a Ghost Client loaded by CD or USB
on the PC to receive this type of message.
How would an Ethernet Address Assigned to Manufactures
Since it must be a unique number, all Ethernet devices are assigned a universal unique MAC address. Before a
manufacture can build Ethernet NICs and Interfaces, it must ask the IEEE to assign the manufacture a universally
unique 3-byte code, called Organizational Unique Identifier (OUI).
Identifying which Network Layer Protocol is being used, is it IPv4 or IPv6?
The Ethernet Type Field (EtherType) sits in the Ethernet data link layer header, but its purpose is to directly help the
network processing (TCP/IP Stack) on routers and hosts. Basically, the Type Field indentifies what type of network
layer (Layer 3) is being used inside the packet that sits inside the Ethernet frame. Internet uses 2 Types of Internet
Protocols: IPv4 and IPv6.
So, what number should the sender put in the header to indentify an IPv4 Packet or an IPv6 packet? As it turns out,
the IEEE manages a list of EtherType values, so that every network layer protocol needs a unique EtherType value
can have a number, however, only 2 types are being used these days: IPv4 and IPv6.
IPv4 value in Hexadecimal is: 0800
IPv6 value in Hexadecimal is: 86DD
Notice that the Ethernet Frame doesnt change to accommodate IPv6 packet. Ethernet keeps the same frame as is
whether IPv4 or IPv6 is being used, the only thing changes is: the Ethernet Type Field number: Either 0800 for IPv4
or 86DD for IPv6.
Error detection with FCS
The Ethernet Frame Check Sequence (FCS) field in the Ethernet Trailer the only field in the ethernet trailer gives
the receiving node a way to compare results with the sender, to discover whether errors occurred to the frame on the
way. Note that error detection does not also means error recovery, ethernet defines that the frame with error should
be discarded, and ethernet does not attempt to recover the frame. It is the TCP protocol at Layer 4 (Transport Layer)
where it recover the lost data by noticing that it is lost and sending the data again. (FCS IS NOT AN ERROR
RECOVERY)
Ethernets NIC or Interface Hardware Address
Media Access Control Address (MAC), Burned-in Address, data link address, hardware address, physical address, or
MAC address, all these names refer to the same exact 12-hex digit hardware address that is used by any NIC or
interface in the world (1001.2222.3333 Cisco style MAC Address) and (AF:02:CD:EE:71:AB PC style MAC
Address). Remember, Network devices initially need the help of Address Resolution Protocol (ARP) to learn each
other MAC addresses once they are plugged into an Ethernet LAN network switch or hub.
Next: Understanding WAN Technologies
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About Imad Daou
He is the founder of CCNA HUB, a CCNA Training HUB to help CCNA students get certified. Imad has more than 10
years of IT experience as Field Service and Consulting Engineer. A+, Network+, Server+, Security+, Storage+, HP,
Dell, and IBM Hardware Certified. He's a Professional SMB IT Consultant.
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