ELI5: Explain Like I'm 5

Machine Identification Code

Imagine you have a toy car with your name written on it. So, your name is like an identification code for that toy car. Similarly, every machine like a computer, laptop, or a tablet has a unique code that helps identify it. This code is called a machine identification code or MAC address.

This MAC address is like a name of the machine and it is made up of a series of numbers and letters. Just as you have a unique name that differentiates you from others, a MAC address distinguishes one machine from another.

The MAC address is like a special code that is assigned to a machine when it is being made, and it is unique to that machine. When the machine connects to the internet or any network, the MAC address allows it to communicate with other machines and devices on the network.

So, just as you can recognize your toy car by the name written on it, the computers and devices on a network can recognize each other using their unique MAC addresses.