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Q & A IP & Network · September 11, 2026

What is the difference between a MAC address and an IP address?

MAC operates at layer 2 (data link) — Ethernet or Wi-Fi frames. IP operates at layer 3 (network) — routed across the internet. A device has one MAC per network interface; that MAC never changes. It has one or more IPs per interface; those change based on the network you join. MAC gets your packet across the local segment; IP gets it across the internet.

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What Is a MAC Address? Hardware Identifier, OUI, and Privacy Explained
MAC addresses are the physical-layer identifiers that let switches and Wi-Fi access points route Ethernet frames. Every network interface has one, burned in at manufacture. Modern devices randomize MACs to defeat cross-network tracking.
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