Internet and Its Uses · 4 question types
Past paper frequency (2018 to 2024)
This topic accounts for approximately 7% of your exam marks.
Network topologies, protocols (HTTP, TCP/IP, FTP, DNS) and network hardware appear consistently.
Devices on a network need an address so that data can be sent to the right one. Two addressing schemes are examined: MAC and IP.
The MAC address (short for Media Access Control) acts as a unique identifier for each network card. The manufacturer burns it into the NIC during production, and it is used to recognise the device on a Local Area Network (LAN).
Key facts:
An IP (Internet Protocol) address is a unique identifier assigned to a device when it joins a network, used to identify the device on the internet (WAN).
Key facts:
IPv4 is the older version, using 32-bit addresses written as four denary numbers in the range 0 to 255, joined by dots.
Example: 192.168.1.1
IPv6 is the newer version, using 128-bit addresses written as eight blocks of four hexadecimal digits, separated by colons.
Example: 2001:0db8:85a3:0000:0000:8a2e:0370:7334
| Feature | MAC address | IP address |
|---|---|---|
| Stands for | Media Access Control | Internet Protocol |
| Assigned by | The NIC manufacturer | The network (router / DHCP server) |
| Static or dynamic? | Static (never changes) | Can be static OR dynamic |
| Length | 48 bits (12 hex digits) | IPv4: 32 bits. IPv6: 128 bits |
| Format | AA:BB:CC:DD:EE:FF | IPv4: 192.168.1.1. IPv6: 2001:0db8::1 |
| Used on | LAN (locally) | WAN / internet (globally) |
| Changes when device moves networks? | No | Yes |
| Used to forward data by | Switches | Routers |
The two address systems do different jobs:
Think of it like postal delivery: the IP address is the street address of the building, while the MAC address is the specific person's name on that floor.