This exam tips covers Exam Tips - IP and MAC Addresses within IP & MAC Addresses for GCSE Computer Science. Revise IP & MAC Addresses in Networks for GCSE Computer Science with 15 exam-style questions and 18 flashcards. This topic appears less often, but it can still be a useful differentiator on mixed-topic papers. It is section 7 of 8 in this topic. Treat this as a marking guide for what examiners are looking for, not just a fact list.
Topic position
Section 7 of 8
Practice
15 questions
Recall
18 flashcards
Exam Tips - IP and MAC Addresses
Most common exam questions:
- "Difference IP vs MAC?" → IP can change (logical), MAC is permanent (physical/burned into hardware)
- "Why was IPv6 developed?" → IPv4 running out of addresses (4.3 billion not enough for all devices)
- "IPv4 vs IPv6 size?" → IPv4 = 32 bits, IPv6 = 128 bits
- "MAC address size?" → 48 bits (6 bytes in hexadecimal)
- "Which layer IP?" → Internet layer (Layer 2 of TCP/IP)
- "Which layer MAC?" → Link layer (Layer 1 of TCP/IP)
- "What is MAC address?" → Permanent physical address burned into NIC at factory
Key facts to memorize:
| Aspect | IP Address | MAC Address |
|---|---|---|
| Type | Logical (can change) | Physical (permanent) |
| Size | IPv4: 32-bit, IPv6: 128-bit | 48-bit |
| Format | 192.168.1.1 (IPv4) | AA:BB:CC:DD:EE:FF |
| Purpose | Routing (WHERE) | Local delivery (WHO) |
Common mistakes to avoid:
- Confusing which is permanent - MAC is permanent, IP can change!
- Forgetting IPv4 vs IPv6 bit sizes (32 vs 128)
- Not explaining WHY both needed (IP for routing, MAC for local delivery)
- Thinking MAC can be changed - it's burned into hardware at factory
Perfect exam answer:
"Explain the difference between IP and MAC addresses" (3 marks):
IP address is logical and can change (1 mark).
MAC address is physical and permanent, burned into NIC (1 mark).
IP used for routing across networks, MAC used for local delivery (1 mark).