MAC address/OUI

A Media Access Control address (MAC address) is a unique identifier assigned to network interfaces for communications on the physical network segment. The Organizationally Unique Identifier (OUI) is a 24-bit number that is purchased from the Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers, Incorporated (IEEE) Registration Authority and uniquely identifies the vendor or manufacturer of the network adapter.

Readings

• Wikipedia: Media Access Control (MAC) Address
• Wikipedia: Organizationally Unique Identifier (OUI)

Activity 1 - Search for a MAC Address OUI

To search for a MAC address OUI:

1. Use getmac or ipconfig to find the MAC address of your network adapter.
2. Using an Internet browser, navigate to the IEEE Standards Association Public OUI Listing and search for the first three octets (first six hexadecimal digits) of the MAC address you found above to identify the manufacturer / registrar of your network adapter.

References

• Wikipedia: Media Access Control (MAC) Address
• Wikipedia: Organizationally Unique Identifier (OUI)
• IEEE Standards Association Public OUI Listing