Home users can also run into problems with MAC addresses. External networking devices like USB Ethernet adapters, hubs, and laptop docking stations also tend to have their own MAC addresses, which may also create authentication problems. But it can also get in the way of legitimate users, like new employees who have a laptop that hasn't been approved by the network administrator yet. MAC addresses can be a useful tool for protecting secure networks from outside hackers or users stealing Wi-Fi or Lan connections. Some business and education networks use MAC addresses to give a set of specific systems access to their network and the wider Internet. Why would you need to clone a MAC address? MAC addresses are typically hardcoded into devices by the manufacturer, which makes it very useful for tracking a problematic device on a network, or for blocking and whitelisting particular devices to use a network connection or service. That can be everything including laptops, smartphones, streaming devices, IoT gadgets, tablets, and anything else that connects to your network. This is of utmost importance with modern networks where there can be many devices connected to the same local network at the time. It functions like a more precise and hardware-specific version of an IP address. The MAC address, or media access control address, is the signifier for a particular piece of hardware or device (more accurately, its network connector) on a network. Cloning gets around that by copying the MAC address of an approved piece of hardware to the problematic device, making it appear as if it's allowed on the network. The MAC address clone process often called mac pass through, is a useful technique to get around connectivity and network issues that can arise in both home and office environments where a set of specific, or set number of, MAC addresses have been approved. Facebook Twitter Google + LinkedIn Pinterest Email Share.

What does wifi mac address mean