MAC Address Explored

[docmanya]

Changing MAC addressesAlthough physical MAC addresses are permanent by design, several mechanisms allow modification, or "spoofing", of the MAC address that is reported by the operating system. This can be useful for privacy reasons, for instance when connecting to a Wi-Fi hotspot, or to ensure interoperability. Some internet service providers bind their service to a specific MAC address; if the user then changes their network card or intends to install a router, the service won't work anymore. Changing the MAC address of the new interface will solve the problem. Similarly, some software licenses are bound to a specific MAC address. Changing the MAC address in this way is not permanent: after a reboot, it will revert to the MAC address physically stored in the card.As a MAC address can be changed, it can be unwise to rely on this as a single method of authentication. IEEE 802.1x is an emerging standard better suited to authenticating devices at a low level.WindowsUnder Windows XP, the MAC address can be changed in the Ethernet adapter's Properties menu, in the Advanced tab, as "MAC Address", "Locally Administered Address", "Ethernet Address" or "Network Address". The exact name depends on the Ethernet driver used; not all drivers support changing the MAC address in this way.However, a better solution - requiring Administrative User Rights - is to pass over the System Registry Keys under HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\Control\Class\{4D36E972-E325-11CE-BFC1-08002BE10318}. Here settings for each network interface can be found. The contents of the string value called 'NetworkAddress' will be used to set the MAC address of the adapter when next it is enabled. Resetting the adapter can be accomplished in script with the freely available command line utility 'devcon' from Microsoft, or from the adapters context menu in the Network Connections control panel applet.Yet another solution is to type ipconfig /all in a command prompt while connected to the network. The MAC address appears next to "Physical Address".Ref: Wikipedia

 

[docmanya]

What Is a MAC Address?The MAC address is a unique value associated with a network adapter. MAC addresses are also known as hardware addresses or physical addresses. They uniquely identify an adapter on a LAN.MAC addresses are 12-digit hexadecimal numbers (48 bits in length). By convention, MAC addresses are usually written in one of the following two formats: MM:MM:MM:SS:SS:SS MM-MM-MM-SS-SS-SSThe first half of a MAC address contains the ID number of the adapter manufacturer. These IDs are regulated by an Internet standards body (see sidebar). The second half of a MAC address represents the serial number assigned to the adapter by the manufacturer. In the example, 00:A0:C9:14:C8:29The prefix 00A0C9indicates the manufacturer is Intel Corporation.MAC Address Prefix Vendor 00055D D-Link Systems, Inc. 000D88 D-Link Corporation 000F3D D-Link Corporation 001195 Alpha Networks Inc. (may be D-Link) 001346 D-Link Corporation 0050BA d-link 0080C8 D-Link (also Solectek Pocket Adapters)

 

[hbkwarez]

Thx for info

 

[akash]

copy paste from the link which coolbuddy gave me

 

[chicmagnet]

alternatively there is a software that comes.. simplemac.exe.. pretty easy to use and you can change the mac address through it... plus you can always bring your mac address to the default address anytime you wish .

 

[muttster`]

yes but tthat wud change ur nic mac..i.e lan card ka address..if u wanna change router mac ull hafta do it urself..

 

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