MAC addresses are managed at two levels: by the manufacturer and by the network administrators.
Manufacturing:
When a manufacturer creates network interface cards or other networking devices, they assign a unique MAC address to each device during the production process. These addresses are registered with the Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE) via the IEEE Registration Authority. The IEEE Registration Authority is responsible for allocating blocks of MAC addresses to manufacturers for their use, ensuring that no two devices have the same MAC address.
Network Administration:
In a network environment, MAC addresses are used to identify individual devices on the network. Network administrators may need to manage MAC addresses to ensure the proper functioning of the network. For example, administrators may need to create a table of MAC addresses to associate with specific IP addresses, or they may need to monitor the network for unauthorized devices with unknown MAC addresses. Network switches and routers can also be configured to limit network access based on MAC addresses.
