> For the complete documentation index, see [llms.txt](https://documentation.hak5.org/wifi-pineapple-enterprise/llms.txt). Markdown versions of documentation pages are available by appending `.md` to page URLs; this page is available as [Markdown](https://documentation.hak5.org/wifi-pineapple-enterprise/wifi-basics/mac-addresses.md). # MAC Addresses Often called a physical address (PHY addr), the Media Access Control address (MAC address) is a unique identifier assigned to each Network Interface Controller (NIC). Typically this address is “burned” into the ROM of the network interface hardware, though often it may be changed via software. MAC Addresses are formed by six sets of two hexadecimal digits (octets), typically separated by a dash (-) or colon (:) and may be either universally or locally administered. For example, 00:C0:CA:8F:5E:80. Universally administered MAC addresses are unique to each network interface manufacturer. The first three octets represent the manufacturer or vendor as its Organizationally Unique Identifier (OUI). In the example above, 00:C0:CA represents the OUI for ALFA, INC – a popular Taiwanese WiFi equipment maker. OUIs are assigned by the Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers, Incorporated (IEEE). The vendor of any particular OUI may be determined by checking the IEEE MAC database, or the [Wireshark OUI Lookup Tool](https://www.wireshark.org/tools/oui-lookup.html). A database of OUI ranges is included in the WiFi Pineapple to display the manufacturer of devices. Locally administered MAC addresses are typically assigned by the network administrator, replacing the universally administered address burned into ROM. For example, one may set their MAC address to DE:AD:BE:EF:C0:FE. This is sometimes called MAC spoofing. --- # Agent Instructions This documentation is published with GitBook. GitBook is the documentation platform designed so that both humans and AI agents can read, navigate, and reason over technical content effectively. Learn more at gitbook.com. ## Querying This Documentation If you need additional information that is not directly available in this page, you can query the documentation dynamically by asking a question. Perform an HTTP GET request on the current page URL with the `ask` query parameter, and the optional `goal` query parameter: ``` GET https://documentation.hak5.org/wifi-pineapple-enterprise/wifi-basics/mac-addresses.md?ask=&goal= ``` `ask` is the immediate question: it should be specific, self-contained, and written in natural language. `goal` is optional and describes the broader end goal you are ultimately trying to accomplish on behalf of the user. GitBook uses it to tailor the answer towards what is most useful for that goal. The response will contain a direct answer to the question and relevant excerpts and sources from the documentation. Use this mechanism when the answer is not explicitly present in the current page, you need clarification or additional context, or you want to retrieve related documentation sections.