Good day!
Quite often, when solving various network problems, you have to remember the MAC address (for example, when setting up Internet access, when installing a new router, network card, etc.). I think that in this article, let's go right off the bat ?!
What is MAC address Is a unique identifier (in the form of several letters and numbers) that each network equipment has: a router, a network card, etc. This identifier is designed to automatically identify the sender and recipient on the network. It is often called the "physical address" (at least that's how it is in Windows).
Designation example (first 3 values - manufacturer, second - serial number)
I will note an important detail: many Internet providers in our country, when connected to the Internet, fix host your MAC address (for security purposes). And when you change network equipment (for example, after buying a new router), if you do not clone the MAC address of your old network card, the Internet will not work for you (blocking the provider's security system) ...
Actually, in this short article I want to show the solution to the indicated problems. I think the information will be useful to many novice users.
So...
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How to find the MAC address
👉 Method number 1
Perhaps the simplest and most obvious option is to look visually at the network equipment itself.
Most of the same routers (routers, network cards) have small stickers with the necessary information. An example is shown below. 👇
Sticker on the case of the router
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👉 Method number 2
The second way is to use the 👉 command line. Having opened it, it is enough to enter just one command: ipconfig / all and press Enter (number-1 on the screen below 👇).
Further, for all network adapters that you have in the system, properties will be presented: including the physical address (this is the MAC address). Thus, you can find out the MAC addresses for all network adapters installed on your PC.
Command Line - View information about network adapters
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👉 Method number 3
You can find out all the "network" ins and outs with the help of 👉 special utilities for determining the characteristics of a PC. I am impressed by the utility Speccy (from the manufacturer of the equally well-known CCleaner).
In Speccy, just open the tab "Network" and you can get detailed information about all network adapters, network status, IP and DNS, MAC-address, etc.
Speccy - network information (Network tab)
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👉 Method number 4
If you need to view the MAC address of the router, then this can be done either using a sticker on its case (as recommended in method 1), or in its web interface (settings).
👉 To help!
How to open the web interface (settings) of the router - see detailed instructions
In order to open them, it is usually enough to go to the address 192.168.0.1 (192.168.1.1) in the browser (as the login admin, as the password either admin or an empty space) .
As a rule, in the router settings, you need to open the section "Status" ("Status"). An example is shown below. 👇
Router settings
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How to clone a MAC address
Option 1: on a network card
For example, it will come in handy when changing the network card through which you connect to the Internet.
First you need to open 👉 Device Manager: the fastest way is to press the button combination Win + Pause, and select the required one in the menu on the left (see the screen below 👇).
Help (open device manager)
Next, in the device manager, you need to open the tab "Network adapters" : there will be presented all adapters for which you have installed drivers. Select the required adapter and open it properties .
Opening the properties of the required adapter
In the properties you need to open the tab "Additionally" (or "Advanced").
Find properties in the list "Network address" (or "Network address") and specify the value you need in the field MAC address ... Save your settings and restart your computer.
Properties
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Option 2: in a router
Relevant for those cases when you install a router (router), and earlier you had a cable from an Internet provider directly connected to a PC / laptop. Or just change your old router to a new one.
Set The MAC address for the router is needed in its web interface (that is, in its direct settings. This cannot be done in the Windows settings).
👉 Help!
How to enter the settings of the router (and what to do if it cannot be done).
Then in the settings, as a rule, you need to open the section "WAN" (or network / Internet settings. In some routers, the tab is enough "Control" ). A couple of examples are presented below. 👇
Cloning MAC address (TENDA router)
Change MAC Address (TP-Link Router)
WAN configuration (English interface, D-Link DIR-615 router)
Usually, most routers can automatically detect the MAC address of your old network card (if you connected a router with a cable to it) and clone it.
Actually, you can manually set the address, just write a few values in the designated field (in most cases, nothing complicated 👌).
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Thank you for your attention (additions are welcome).
All good!
👋
First publication: 01.05.2018
Correction: 06/05/2020
