What is a MAC address?

A MAC address (Media Access Control) is a unique hardware number assigned to a Network Interface Card. It is 12- digit and contains numbers and letters. It may have several different names, the MAC address is sometimes called Ethernet Address, Hardware Address, Network Address or Physical Address depending on the manufacturer.

How to find your MAC address?

Linux

• Type /sbin/ifconfig –a at the shell prompt, then press Enter or Return.

You will find the hardware address listed after HWaddr.

Windows

• Click on Start or press the windows key
• In the menue "Search programs and files" type cmd and press Enter
• This will launch an MS-DOS window. At the prompt (C:\>), type the following and press Enter: ipconfig/all

Under the settings for your ethernet connection you will see your MAC address listed by physical address.

Macintosh

• Go to the Apple (top left corner)
• Select System Preferences
• Select Network
• to find the MAC address for Ethernet:
  * Select Ethernet on the left-hand side and press the button Advanced
  * Go to the tab Hardware
• to find the MAC address for Wi-Fi
  * Select Wi-Fi on the left-hand side and press the button Advanced
  * Go to the tab Hardware

iPad

• Go to the Settings --> General --> About

The Wi-Fi address is your MAC address.