Lab 3.3.3 Determine the MAC Address of a Host

Objective

• Determine the MAC address of a Windows XP computer on an Ethernet network using the ipconfig

/all command.

• Access to the Run command.

Background/Preparation

Every computer on an Ethernet local network has a Media Access Control (MAC) address that is burned into

the Network Interface Card (NIC). Computer MAC addresses are usually displayed as 6 sets of two

hexadecimal numbers separated by dashes or colons. (example: 15-EF-A3-45-9B-57). The ipconfig /all

command displays the computer MAC address. You may work individually or in teams.

The following resources are required:

• Windows XP workstation with at least one Ethernet network interface card (NIC)

Step 1: Open a Windows command prompt window

a. From the Windows XP desktop, click Start then Run.

b. Type cmd in the Run dialogue box then click OK.

c. A Windows command prompt window opens.

Step 2: Use the ipconfig /all command

a. Enter the ipconfig /all command at the command prompt.

b. Press Enter. (Typical results are shown in the following figure, but your computer will display different

information.)

Step

Step 3: Locate the MAC (physical) address(es) in the output from the ipconfig /all command

a. Use the table below to fill in the description of the Ethernet adapter and the Physical (MAC) Address:

Description	Physical address
Atheros AR5B95 Wireless network adapter #2	DO-DF-9A-92-5E-C6
Atheros AR8152/8158 pcL-E fast ethernetcontroller (NDS 6.20)	DC-OE-AL-4E-8E-63

Step 4: Reflection

a. Why might a computer have more than one MAC address?

answer: Because a camputer can have more than one acces point , every acces point have one MAC address ,so a computer can have more than one MAC address.or a computer have many hadrware.and for one hardware on computer have one MAC address.so...a computer can have more then one MAC address

b. The sample output from the ipconfig /all command shown previously had only one MAC address.

Suppose the output was from a computer that also had wireless Ethernet capability. How might the

output change?

answer:

the diffrent is the computer have wireless ethernet capability.in ethernet capability it’s use MAC address filter.and to change the MAC address.the steps is at the next answer.

c. Try disconnecting the cable(s) to your network adapter(s) and use the ipconfig /all command again.

What changes do you see? Does the MAC address still display? Will the MAC address ever change?

answer: nithing be changes.yes,the MAC address stiil display.we can change the MAC address with this steps:

before change it.we must know our MAC address.after that double click at network icon,click properties,click configure,click tab advenced,choose the second list.put the new address in text box.

d. What are other names for the MAC address?

answer:the other name of MAC address is Ethernet Address, Physical Address or Hardware Address