Remember how an IP address denotes the connection of a device to an ISP? Well, what happens if a second device connects to the main device and funnels all of their web activity through it? The second device's activities appear to be the main devices to the rest of the web. Then, using the name on the label, John Smith can get his package, much like how a MAC address identifies which device is which. The IP address gets the data to your router, like a deliveryman putting the package on John Smith's doorstep. This is like how John Smith's home has an address assigned to it by the postal service.Įvery device on a router has a unique MAC address, much like how everyone in John Smith's home has an identifying name. Your router/modem has a unique IP address assigned by your ISP. So, let's break down our postal example into technical terms. Comparing IP and MAC Addresses to a Postal Service The MAC address is like your friend John Smith's name: it's who (or what) the target is. You'll need your good friend John's name too, so you don't confuse the whole Smith family on who the package is for when it arrives.Īs such, the home address acts as the IP address it's where the target is. That's why you need his home address.īut the home address itself isn't enough on its own, either. While this would be enough to get your package to John, you can't just tell the post office to send it to "John Smith, son of Edward, son of George, son of." Even though it uniquely identifies him, it'd be a pain for the post office to find him. However, what if we incorporated his ancestry (i.e., his "manufacturer") into his name? If we did that, he'd be called "John Smith, son of Edward, son of George, son of." Go far back enough, and it becomes unique. John's name isn't unique enough as an identifier, so we can't just send a package labeled "John Smith" and expect it to arrive. Let's say you want to send a package to your good friend John Smith.
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