3.4 · Lesson 1 of 2
NICs and MAC addresses
Syllabus 3.4.1Syllabus 3.4.2
What this lesson covers
- Explain why a computer needs a NIC
- Describe the purpose and structure of a MAC address
Key vocabulary
- Network interface card (NIC)
- Hardware that a computer needs to access a network, by wire or wirelessly.
- WNIC
- A wireless network interface card, which connects using radio waves (Wi-Fi).
- MAC address
- Media access control address: a unique address given to a NIC when it's manufactured.
- Manufacturer code
- The first 6 hex digits of a MAC address, identifying the company that made the NIC.
- Serial code
- The last 6 hex digits of a MAC address, identifying the individual device.
- Hexadecimal
- Base 16. MAC addresses are written as 12 hex digits (48 bits).
Check your learning
- Quick check: 4 questions
- Key vocabulary test: 6 terms
- Activity 1: MAC addresses · 8 questions
- Activity 2: NICs and MAC quiz · 8 questions
- Activity 3: MAC or IP address? · drag and drop