What is an IP address and MAC address?

An IP (Internet Protocol) is basically how your computer or device is identified on the Internet. Every computer or device connected to the Internet must be assigned a logical IP address, or by your ISP (Internet Service Provider) or your local router DHCP (Dynamic Host Configuration Protocol) server.

You can think of an IP address as the registration plates of a vehicle. All vehicles on-road driving (legally) is a registered trademark thatLocal DMV. The type of license plate is like the ID card of the car, running someone (usually a COP) to the plate and find out allows all sorts of information on the owner of the vehicle where the mark is registered. An IP address works the same way. Each computer is browse the Internet to a certain type of IP address to use identification that is assigned an IP, the actual computer, the router is connected to the computer or proxy server to connect to your computerwith. This address is called a computer, which is identified on the network, as a plaque, which is a vehicle on the road.

A MAC (Media Access Control) on the other side is the physical address of the NIC (Network Interface Cards) on your computer (something like a serial number). In broadcast networks such as Ethernet MAC address uniquely identifies each node (workstation / computer) for the delivery of specific packages. If you like analogies, you can compare the nature of a network adapter MACAddress to a vehicle VIN number. The MAC identifies the physical hardware of the network as a vehicle identified by the chassis number of a specific vehicle.

The reason I took a car for my analogies to help readers understand that a dynamic IP address can change the number plates of vehicles can be changed. But a MAC address (in most cases) not only as a vehicle VIN can not be changed can be changed.

A static IP address is an IP address that remains constantand does not change (and usually must pay a fee). With a static IP is useful for those who run servers, or any type of equipment to stay on the same IP address.