Differences between IP and MAC addresses?

Differences between IP and MAC addresses?

• A. IP - gives a location of a device on the internet; MAC - identifies the device connected to the internet.
• B. IP - identifies the device on the internet; MAC - locates the device on the network.
• C. IP - hardware address; MAC - software address.
• D. IP - gives a location of a device on the internet; MAC - identifies the device connected to the internet.

Answer: (D)

The key idea is that IP addresses and MAC addresses operate at different layers and serve different purposes: IP addresses are used to locate devices across networks so data can be routed from one network to another, while MAC addresses identify the actual network interface hardware on the local link, helping frame delivery within a local network. This option is the best because it accurately pairs IP with the role of providing the device’s location across networks (routing across the internet) and pairs MAC with identifying the device’s hardware on its local network. IP addresses can change as you move between networks or use different connections, and they are what routers use to forward packets toward their destination. MAC addresses are tied to the network interface card and are used by devices on the same local network to deliver frames to the right hardware. Other statements tend to blur these roles or imply MAC is used for global internet routing, which isn’t how it works. MAC addresses are not used for routing across the internet; they’re local to the LAN and used for direct hardware addressing within that local segment.

The key idea is that IP addresses and MAC addresses operate at different layers and serve different purposes: IP addresses are used to locate devices across networks so data can be routed from one network to another, while MAC addresses identify the actual network interface hardware on the local link, helping frame delivery within a local network.

This option is the best because it accurately pairs IP with the role of providing the device’s location across networks (routing across the internet) and pairs MAC with identifying the device’s hardware on its local network. IP addresses can change as you move between networks or use different connections, and they are what routers use to forward packets toward their destination. MAC addresses are tied to the network interface card and are used by devices on the same local network to deliver frames to the right hardware.

Other statements tend to blur these roles or imply MAC is used for global internet routing, which isn’t how it works. MAC addresses are not used for routing across the internet; they’re local to the LAN and used for direct hardware addressing within that local segment.