Differences between a MAC address and an IP address

Tip: Choose Save as PDF in the print dialog to download. Use A4 paper size.

Differences between a MAC address and an IP address

Name:
Date:
Class:

Quick Questions

Shade in the A or B circle for each question.

1. Who sets a MAC address?
A The manufacturer, when the device is made
B The network, when the device connects
2. Which address can change when a device joins a different network?
A IP address
B MAC address
3. Which address stays the same for the life of the network adapter?
A MAC address
B IP address
4. Which address is written in hexadecimal, like 00:1A:2B:3C:4D:5E?
A IPv4 address
B MAC address
5. Which address is written as four denary numbers from 0 to 255, like 192.168.1.10?
A MAC address
B IPv4 address

Match the Pairs

Draw a line connecting each item on the left to its match on the right.

Left columnRight column
1A4:5E:60:C2:1B:9F AA MAC address: written in hexadecimal and set by the manufacturer, so it stays the same
2192.168.1.25 BThe MAC address is fixed by the manufacturer and stays the same on every network. It is the IP address that changes.
3The manufacturer sets the MAC address, but the network gives the device its IP address CMAC: permanent / IP: changeable
4A MAC address is permanent, but an IP address is changeable DAn IPv4 address: four denary numbers given by the network, so it can change
5A laptop's MAC address changes when it joins a new Wi-Fi network EMAC: set by manufacturer / IP: given by network
6The network gives a device its MAC address FThe manufacturer sets the MAC address when the device is made. The network gives the IP address.

Definitions

MAC address vs IP address

Fill in the Blanks

Complete each line of code by filling in the missing parts.

1.
MAC address: set by the ____________
2.
IP address: given by the _______
3.
MAC address: permanent IP address: __________
4.
MAC example: 3C:5A:B4:1F:2E:90 (___)
5.
IPv4 example: 192.168.1.10 (______)

Spot the Error

Shade in the letter of the line that contains an error.

Question 1
A MAC: 3A-7F-12-9C-B4-0D
B IP: 192.168.1.25
C MAC set by network
Question 2
A IP address: 192.168.0.14
B IP is set by the manufacturer
C IP can change on new network
Question 3
A MAC = 00-1A-2B-3C-4D-5E
B MAC uses denary digits only
C MAC stays the same for life
Question 4
A IPv4 is written in hex only
B IPv4 = 192.168.1.10
C IPv6 is written in hex
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

Answer Key

Differences between a MAC address and an IP address
Section A: Quick Questions
Q1
A — The manufacturer, when the device is made
Q2
A — IP address
Q3
A — MAC address
Q4
B — MAC address
Q5
B — IPv4 address
Section B: Match the Pairs
Q1
A4:5E:60:C2:1B:9F → A MAC address: written in hexadecimal and set by the manufacturer, so it stays the same
Q2
192.168.1.25 → An IPv4 address: four denary numbers given by the network, so it can change
Q3
The manufacturer sets the MAC address, but the network gives the device its IP address → MAC: set by manufacturer / IP: given by network
Q4
A MAC address is permanent, but an IP address is changeable → MAC: permanent / IP: changeable
Q5
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.
Q6
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.
Section C: Definitions
Q1
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).
Section D: Fill in the Blanks
Q1
MAC address: set by the manufacturer
Q2
IP address: given by the network
Q3
MAC address: permanent IP address: changeable
Q4
MAC example: 3C:5A:B4:1F:2E:90 (hex)
Q5
IPv4 example: 192.168.1.10 (denary)
Section E: Spot the Error
Q1
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'.
Q2
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.
Q3
B — A MAC address is written in hexadecimal (digits 0-9 and letters A-F), not in denary only.
Q4
A — An IPv4 address is written in denary, as four numbers from 0 to 255. Only IPv6 addresses are written in hexadecimal.
Q5
C — A MAC address is permanent and does not change when the device joins a different network. It should read 'MAC stays the same'.