← IGCSE Computer Science Paper 1

Differences between a MAC address and an IP address

MAC is fixed by the manufacturer and stays the same, written in hex. IP is given by the network and can change, written in denary (IPv4) or hex (IPv6).

Part of: IGCSE Computer Science 0478 — 3.4 Network Hardware — Module 23, ACARA Digital Technologies Years 9–10 — Networked Systems and Access Control — Module 23, WA Computer Science ATAR Year 11 — Network Communications — Module 46

Understanding Differences between a MAC address and an IP address in IGCSE Computer Science Paper 1

What it does: This shows who is responsible for each address: the manufacturer for the MAC address and the network for the IP address. A MAC address is set at manufacture. It is the IP address that the network gives out. The MAC address is fixed by the manufacturer, so it is permanent. An IP address is changeable. MAC addresses are written in hex. IPv4 addresses are written in denary, such as 192.168.1.10. An IPv4 address uses four denary numbers separated by dots. A MAC address uses hex. A router can assign IP addresses to devices. MAC addresses are not assigned by the network.

Common mistakes: A MAC address is set by the manufacturer when the device is made, not by the network. The line should be 'MAC set by manufacturer'. An IP address is given to the device by the network (for example by the router). The manufacturer sets the MAC address, not the IP address.

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This module's key terms are also in a printable crossword (Modules 342–354) and word search (Modules 325–354).

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Learning
Duo
Who sets a MAC address?
The network, when the device connectsThe manufacturer, when the device is made
Matches
A laptop's MAC address changes when it joins a new Wi-Fi network
↓
The MAC address is fixed by the manufacturer and stays the same on every network. It is the IP address that changes.
Applying
Meanings
Term
MAC address vs IP address
Meaning
MAC is fixed by the manufacturer and stays the same, written in hex. IP is given by the network and can change, written in denary (IPv4) or hex (IPv6).
Practice
MAC ← "00:1A:2B:3C:4D:5E"
Testing
Gaps
MAC address: set by the
Check Answer
Spots
2IP: 192.168.1.25
3MAC set by network

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Quick Questions

1. Who sets a MAC address?
A. The manufacturer, when the device is made ✓
B. The network, when the device connects
A MAC address is set at manufacture. It is the IP address that the network gives out.
2. Which address can change when a device joins a different network?
A. IP address ✓
B. MAC address
An IP address is given by the network, so a new network gives a new IP address. The MAC address stays the same.
3. Which address stays the same for the life of the network adapter?
A. MAC address ✓
B. IP address
The MAC address is fixed by the manufacturer, so it is permanent. An IP address is changeable.
4. Which address is written in hexadecimal, like 00:1A:2B:3C:4D:5E?
A. IPv4 address
B. MAC address ✓
MAC addresses are written in hex. IPv4 addresses are written in denary, such as 192.168.1.10.
5. Which address is written as four denary numbers from 0 to 255, like 192.168.1.10?
A. MAC address
B. IPv4 address ✓
An IPv4 address uses four denary numbers separated by dots. A MAC address uses hex.

Match the Pairs

A4:5E:60:C2:1B:9F → A MAC address: written in hexadecimal and set by the manufacturer, so it stays the same
192.168.1.25 → An IPv4 address: four denary numbers given by the network, so it can change
The manufacturer sets the MAC address, but the network gives the device its IP address → MAC: set by manufacturer / IP: given by network
A MAC address is permanent, but an IP address is changeable → MAC: permanent / IP: changeable
A laptop's MAC address changes when it joins a new Wi-Fi network → The MAC address is fixed by the manufacturer and stays the same on every network. It is the IP address that changes.
The network gives a device its MAC address → The manufacturer sets the MAC address when the device is made. The network gives the IP address.

Key Term

MAC address vs IP address
MAC is fixed by the manufacturer and stays the same, written in hex. IP is given by the network and can change, written in denary (IPv4) or hex (IPv6).

Fill in the Blanks

1. MAC address: set by the manufacturer
Hint: Type who sets a MAC address when the device is built.
2. IP address: given by the network
Hint: Type what gives a device its IP address.
3. MAC address: permanent IP address: changeable
Hint: Type the word describing an IP address that can be different on another network.
4. MAC example: 3C:5A:B4:1F:2E:90 (hex)
Hint: Type the short name of the number system used for MAC addresses.
5. IPv4 example: 192.168.1.10 (denary)
Hint: Type the number system used to write each part of an IPv4 address.

Spot the Error

Question 1
A MAC: 3A-7F-12-9C-B4-0D
B IP: 192.168.1.25
C MAC set by network
Line C — A MAC address is set by the manufacturer when the device is made, not by the network. The line should be 'MAC set by manufacturer'.
Question 2
A IP address: 192.168.0.14
B IP is set by the manufacturer
C IP can change on new network
Line B — An IP address is given to the device by the network (for example by the router). The manufacturer sets the MAC address, not the IP address.
Question 3
A MAC = 00-1A-2B-3C-4D-5E
B MAC uses denary digits only
C MAC stays the same for life
Line B — A MAC address is written in hexadecimal (digits 0-9 and letters A-F), not in denary only.
Question 4
A IPv4 is written in hex only
B IPv4 = 192.168.1.10
C IPv6 is written in hex
Line A — An IPv4 address is written in denary, as four numbers from 0 to 255. Only IPv6 addresses are written in hexadecimal.
Question 5
A MAC = A4-5E-60-D2-11-9C
B Laptop joins a new network
C MAC gets a new value
D IP is given a new value
Line C — A MAC address is permanent and does not change when the device joins a different network. It should read 'MAC stays the same'.

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