<P> A media access control address (MAC address) of a device is a unique identifier assigned to a network interface controller (NIC) for communications at the data link layer of a network segment . MAC addresses are used as a network address for most IEEE 802 network technologies, including Ethernet and Wi - Fi . In this context, MAC addresses are used in the medium access control protocol sublayer . </P> <P> A MAC may be referred to as the burned - in address (BIA). It may also be known as an Ethernet hardware address (EHA), hardware address or physical address (not to be confused with a memory physical address). </P> <P> A network node may have multiple NICs and each NIC must have a unique MAC address . Sophisticated network equipment such as a multilayer switch or router may require one or more permanently assigned MAC addresses . </P>

Is physical address the same as mac address