Question

why not mac address instead of ip?

Asked by: Ronayne

Hi,

Just a few questions. Why arent mac addresses used instead of ip and why has ip been divided into different classes.
What are the main disadvantages of ip?

Thanks

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Asked On
2003-11-20 at 05:42:46ID20803931
Topics

Miscellaneous Networking

,

Appletalk

,

TCP/IP

Participating Experts
5
Points
30
Comments
8

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Answers

 

by: PeteLongPosted on 2003-11-20 at 05:59:33ID: 9787387

Hi Ronayne,
MAC addresses operate at Layer 2 of the OSI model (YOU CANT ROUTE THEM) unlike IP addresses, which are routable and let you join lots of networks together.

What are the main disadvantages of ip?

Well we have ran out of IP addresses (v4 ones) hence the need for NAT and DHCP, I wont elaborate as this sounds suspiciously like a homework question, do a google search on

OSI Model
NAT
DHCP

Cheers!

 

by: qwaleteePosted on 2003-11-20 at 06:05:03ID: 9787428

And if it isn't a homework question, perhaps it SHOUDL be one

 

by: InteraXPosted on 2003-11-20 at 06:24:54ID: 9787578

30 points for it aswell? What are the main disadvantages of IP?
Who's willing to answer that one?
;-)

 

by: SNilssonPosted on 2003-11-20 at 06:41:23ID: 9787730


You have lot's of open questions Ronayne, the oldest one being from Februari...

http://www.experts-exchange.com/viewQuestionHistory.jsp?mid=1022700

 

by: PeteLongPosted on 2003-11-20 at 08:55:25ID: 9788927

ThanQ

 

by: RonaynePosted on 2003-11-20 at 10:15:40ID: 9789495

How many points should I have given for this question. I think that for people networking in the real world that this kind  of question is very simple, no?

Anyway, thanks for the help

 

by: RonaynePosted on 2003-11-20 at 10:26:27ID: 9789570

fs

 

by: BarnyRitchleyPosted on 2003-11-25 at 07:40:11ID: 9818447

cisco have some very comprehensive documentation on TCP/IP which explain hardware addresses, dns, pat, nat, dhcp, igrp, ospf etc etc, if you already have a fair ground knowledge on the subject.

I would suggest a very good book written by Joe Casad explains TCP/IP in good detail.  I have it, and i would recommend it to everyone.

http://www.amazon.co.uk/exec/obidos/ASIN/0672325659/ref=sr_aps_books_1_2/026-9045464-0519656

TCP/IP is a very complex protocol suite, and would take a long time for anyone to answer such an ambiguous question....  my suggestion???? - READ THE BOOK!!!   ;o)


Regards

Barny.


P.s.   30 points for a question which simply cannot be answered on EE is too many points in my opinion!!!

20120131-EE-VQP-002

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