Networks allow people to send messages and keep data accurate from one computer to another. It allows many users to have access to their data and manipulate it if needed and others can look at it. They do not need to be on the same computers to do this. However, a physical network address is needed too. This is a way of identifying the host of the network.
At one point, telephone numbers were used as the network address when people used dial-up for their internet. Now, people use wifi. A MAC address is known as a media access control address. It is different because it allows people who want to use wifi to be able to use it with a router.
The MAC address is an example of a physical address. What is a physical address anyway? This is a type of address that is used at the hardware level. This is required by the ethernet otherwise, this will not be able to communicate with the other devices that are available.
Take note that all devices come with their own physical address. If they don’t then it will be harder for devices to connect with each other. All of these physical addresses can be referred to as MAC. MAC stands for Media Access Control. Without this, your device will not be able to connect.