Media Access Control (MAC)

Media Access Control, or MAC, is a component of the Data Link Layer, Layer 2 of the OSI model. It controls how network devices access a shared transmission medium and transmit data in the form of frames. MAC addresses play a central role by identifying network interfaces within a local network. Ethernet switches, for example, use MAC addresses to forward frames to the appropriate port. The MAC sublayer operates below Logical Link Control, or LLC, and interfaces with the Physical Layer. Media Access Control is therefore a fundamental function of Ethernet, Wi-Fi and other networking technologies, enabling coordinated communication between devices within a local network.