A mechanism operating at the data link layer of local area networks which manages access to the communications channel (medium). It forms the lower layer of the IEEE data link layer (OSI layer 2) which complements the Logical Link Control (LLC). MAC is a media-specific protocol within the IEEE 802 specifications.
A method of controlling access to a transmission medium (e.g., Ethernet, Token Ring, and FDDI).
The MAC Address (Media Access Control) is the hardware address of a network device (e.g. network card, switch). The MAC address is unique world-wide. It consists of 48 bits identifying the manufacturer of the device (24 bits) and interfaces used by the manufacturer. This allows for a unique identification of the device in the network. The MAC address is often used to generate software license keys.
Protocols used to control access to a shared network medium. Common MAC techniques include: CSMA/CD, CSMA/CA, Token Passing, and polling.
On a local area network (LAN) or other network, the MAC address is a device?s unique hardware number. Every Network Interface Card (NIC) in the world has a unique MAC address.
Required when several devices share the same communication circuit, such as a half duplex line that requires devices to take turns, or a multipoint configuration in which several devices share the same circuit, such as a LAN.
Media Access Control (MAC) is the protocol governing access to the network. The MAC device is located between receive and transmit paths. Among its functions are the controlling of ranging, the assignment of frequencies, and the allocation of time slots.
The unique address assigned to the Network Interface Control (NIC) card in all networked computers.
The control circuitry in a LAN that converts the protocols of the DTS to those required by the LAN.
The hard-coded address of the physical-layer device that is attached to the network. All network interface controllers must have a hard-coded and unique MAC address. The MAC address is 48 bits long.
In a wireless LAN (WLAN) network card, the MAC is a radio controller protocol. It corresponds to the OSI Network Model Layer 2 data link layer. The IEEE 802.11 standard specifies the MAC protocol for medium sharing, packet formats and addressing, and error detection.
The six-byte address of network either the Ethernet or the ATM hardware (interface board). Typically written as six colon-separated hexadecimal numbers.
The lower portion of the datalink layer. The MAC differs for various physical media. See also: MAC Address, Ethernet, Logical Link Control, token ring.
1) The lower sub layer of the data link layer in the open system interconnection (OSI) model. MAC is responsible for scheduling, gaining access, and transmitting and receiving data on the network media. 2) A generic term for the way in which workstations gain access to transmission media. The term is most widely used in reference to local area networks (LAN. Synonym: media access controller.
The lower half of the data link sublayer that is responsible for framing data and controlling the physical link between two end points.
The MAC address is the physical address of a device connected to a network. This unique hardware identity can be used to allow devices access to networks such as a wireless area network (WLAN) via an access point.
Networking. The MAC is the lower sublayer of the data-link layer (Logical Link Control is the upper sublayer), and it governs access to the transmission media. Each Ethernet device has a unique MAC address assigned on a world wide basis.
The IEEE 802.11-1997 standard specifies a media access control (MAC) layer. The MAC layer allows stations to operate using either an independent configuration, or an infrastructure configuration. The MAC layer provides the following services: Authentication (station service) Deauthentication (station service) Privacy (station service) MSDU delivery (station service) Association (distribution system service) Disassociation (distribution system service) Distribution (distribution system service) Integration (distribution system service) Reassociation (distribution system service)
A method for controlling access to a transmission medium. An example is the Ethernet (CSMA/CD access method.
The lower portion of the datalink layer. The MAC differs forvarious physical media. See also: MAC Address, Ethernet, LogicalLink Control, token ring. message switching
The Media Access Control (MAC) data communication protocol sub-layer is the part of the seven-layer OSI model data link layer (layer 2). It provides addressing and channel access control mechanisms that makes it possible for several terminals or network nodes to communicate within a multipoint network, typically a local area network (LAN) or metropolitan area network (MAN). A MAC protocol is not required in full-duplex point-to-point communication.