IP Address vs MAC Address
IP Address vs MAC Address
Section titled “IP Address vs MAC Address”An IP address tells you where a device is on the network right now.
A MAC address tells you what the device is (the hardware identity of its network card).
Quick comparison
Section titled “Quick comparison”| Type | Example | Changes? | Used for |
|---|---|---|---|
| IP address | 192.168.1.42 | Can change | Routing, communication |
| MAC address | D8:3A:DD:44:9C:10 | Rarely changes | Identifying the device |
Why IPs change
Section titled “Why IPs change”Most networks use DHCP, which assigns IPs temporarily. When a device reconnects, it might get a different IP.
Why MACs are stable
Section titled “Why MACs are stable”A MAC address is burned into the device’s network interface, so it’s a reliable identifier over time.
How Netory uses both
Section titled “How Netory uses both”Netory tracks devices by MAC address and records their current IP address so you can:
- find devices even after IPs change
- keep historical records of IP usage
- avoid conflicts when assigning static IPs
Practical tip
Section titled “Practical tip”If you want a device to always keep the same IP, set a DHCP reservation tied to its MAC address.