WhatIs.My-IP.it
MAC address vendor/manufacturer lookup tool
General info
A media access control address is a unique 48-bit identifier assigned to a network interface controller. It is used on data link layer (layer 2 of OSI model) of computer networking as a network address. MAC addresses are assigned by device manufacturers and usually includes manufacturer's 24-bit OUI (Organizationally Unique Identifier). Now they refers as EUI-48 identifiers.
Address details
48-bit address MAC address starts with 24-bit OUI, 28-bit OUI-28/MA-M or 36-bit OUI-36/MA-S identification numbers. IEEE 802 standard format for printing Extended Unique Identifiers (EUI-48) is six groups of two hexadecimal digits separated by hyphens.
Location: Piscataway, New Jersey, United States of America
IEEE is the world's largest technical professional organization dedicated to advancing technology for the benefit of humanity. IEEE Registration Authority deals with assigning unique identifiers to manufacturers. Obtaining registered identifiers is payable and cost depends on below block size:
- MAC Address Block Large (MA-L)
- MAC Address Block Medium (MA-M)
- MAC Address Block Small (MA-S)
Here are some interesting trivia facts about MAC address lookup
Vendor Identification
MAC address lookup can reveal the manufacturer or vendor of a network interface card (NIC) based on its MAC address. The first six characters of a MAC address, known as the OUI (Organizationally Unique Identifier), are assigned to specific manufacturers by the IEEE (Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers).
Uniqueness
MAC addresses are intended to be globally unique identifiers for network interfaces. However, in practice, there have been instances of MAC address collisions, where two network interfaces have the same MAC address. Such occurrences are rare but can potentially cause network connectivity issues.
Permanent vs. Changeable
MAC addresses are typically hardcoded into network interface hardware and are considered permanent. However, some network interfaces, particularly in consumer devices like smartphones and laptops, allow users to change their MAC addresses through software settings. This process is known as MAC address spoofing.
Layer 2 Addressing
MAC addresses are used at the Data Link layer (Layer 2) of the OSI model for addressing devices within the same local network segment. They are crucial for facilitating communication between devices on the same network, such as Ethernet LANs.
ARP Protocol
Address Resolution Protocol (ARP) is used in IPv4 networks to map IP addresses to MAC addresses. When a device needs to communicate with another device on the same network, it uses ARP to determine the MAC address corresponding to the destination IP address.
MAC Address Filtering
MAC address lookup is often used in network security for MAC address filtering. Network administrators can configure routers and switches to only allow specific MAC addresses to access the network, thereby enhancing security by restricting access to authorized devices.
MAC Address Privacy Concerns
While MAC addresses are essential for network communication, they can also raise privacy concerns. Persistent tracking of MAC addresses in public Wi-Fi networks or other contexts can be used for surveillance or targeted advertising purposes, leading to debates around user privacy and data protection.