What does a computer need in order to connect to a network?

a network interface card. The NIC can be wired or wireless.

When is a MAC address given to a device?

when its network interface card is manufactured. It is built in, and identifies the device.

How is a MAC address usually written?

in hexadecimal. Six pairs of hex digits.

How many bits are in an IPv4 address?

32. Four numbers of 8 bits each. IPv6 uses 128 bits.

Which of these is a valid IPv4 address?

172.16.254.1. Four numbers, each from 0 to 255.

What is a dynamic IP address?

one that can change each time the device connects. A static address stays the same.

Network hardware: NICs, MAC and IP addresses, and routers

In plain words

To join a network a device needs a piece of hardware, and two addresses. One address is built in at the factory and says which device it is. The other is handed out by the network and says where the device is at the moment.

Your name stays with you for life. Your postal address changes when you move. A MAC address is like the name, and an IP address is like the postal address.

6 things to know

A computer needs a network interface card (NIC) to connect to a network.
A MAC (media access control) address is given to the network interface card when it is made. It identifies the device.
A MAC address is usually written in hexadecimal. The first half is the manufacturer's code and the second half is the serial code of the device.
An IP (internet protocol) address is allocated by the network. It identifies where the device is on the network. It can be static (it stays the same) or dynamic (it can change each time the device connects).
IPv4 addresses are 32 bits, written as four denary numbers from 0 to 255 separated by dots. IPv6 addresses are 128 bits, written as eight groups of hexadecimal separated by colons. IPv6 allows vastly more addresses.
A router sends data to a specific destination on a network. It can assign IP addresses, and it can connect a local network to the internet.

Worked example

Is 192.168.1.300 a valid IPv4 address?

An IPv4 address is four numbers separated by dots. This has four.
Each number must be from 0 to 255, because each is stored in 8 bits.
300 is greater than 255, so the address is not valid.

Tips and tricks

MAC: set when the device is made, and it identifies the device. IP: allocated by the network, and it can change.
Learn both formats. IPv4: four denary numbers with dots. IPv6: eight hexadecimal groups with colons.

6 questions, about 2 minutes.

It lands in your notebook with its questions as flashcards.

Network hardware: NICs, MAC and IP addresses, and routers: 6 questions and answers

These are the quiz’s questions. Do the quiz first, then come back here for the ones that got you.

What does a computer need in order to connect to a network?
- a sound card
- a network interface card (the answer)
- a graphics card
- a DVD drive
The NIC can be wired or wireless.
When is a MAC address given to a device?
- each time it connects to a network
- when its network interface card is manufactured (the answer)
- when the user chooses one
- when it is switched off
It is built in, and identifies the device.
How is a MAC address usually written?
- in denary
- in binary
- in hexadecimal (the answer)
- in words
Six pairs of hex digits.
How many bits are in an IPv4 address?
- 8
- 32 (the answer)
- 64
- 128
Four numbers of 8 bits each. IPv6 uses 128 bits.
Which of these is a valid IPv4 address?
- 256.1.1.1
- 192.168.1
- 172.16.254.1 (the answer)
- 12:AB:34:CD:56:EF
Four numbers, each from 0 to 255.
What is a dynamic IP address?
- one that is built into the device
- one that can change each time the device connects (the answer)
- one written in hexadecimal
- one that is never used
A static address stays the same.

6 questions

Tap an answer and you’ll see straight away whether it’s right, and why.

Worksheet

3 questions, 7 marks. Write your answers on paper, then check them.

Network hardware: NICs, MAC and IP addresses, and routers

Cambridge IGCSE Computer Science 0478 · 7 marks · papermunch.org

Name ______________________________ Date ______________

Describe three features of a MAC address.[3]
Show answerHide answer
It is given to the network interface card when it is manufactured. It is written in hexadecimal. It is made up of the manufacturer's code and the device's serial code.
I got this one
Describe the difference between a static and a dynamic IP address.[2]
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A static IP address does not change. A dynamic IP address can change each time the device connects to the network.
I got this one
State two roles of a router.[2]
Show answerHide answer
It sends data to its correct destination on a network. It can connect a local network to the internet. (Also: it can assign IP addresses.)
I got this one

Answers: Network hardware: NICs, MAC and IP addresses, and routers

1. It is given to the network interface card when it is manufactured. It is written in hexadecimal. It is made up of the manufacturer's code and the device's serial code.
2. A static IP address does not change. A dynamic IP address can change each time the device connects to the network.
3. It sends data to its correct destination on a network. It can connect a local network to the internet. (Also: it can assign IP addresses.)