I’m aware that the mac address is part of the data link layer, but why can’t I just use my MAC address as IP address, too?
Why do I need both addresses?
In: 14
ELI5 – your Mac address is like your Social Security Number – no matter where you move to it is attached to you (the specific modem, network card, etc.) but people can’t easily look you up by your SSN and you don’t give your SSN out to everyone. Whereas your IP address is like your phone number. Everyone has caller ID nowadays and can see the number that you’re calling from and if you list yourself in the telephone directory (DNS) or stick it on your social media people can easily look up your name (domain address) and get your phone number. You can choose to either keep the same telephone number (Static IP) or change it like a burner phone (Dynamic IP).
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