What is the total number of bits used to represent a MAC address?

A MAC (Media Access Control) address is a unique identifier assigned to network interfaces for communications on the physical network segment. It is used within the data link layer of the OSI model and plays a crucial role in network protocols, ensuring that data packets are sent to the correct device on a local network.

The standard format for a MAC address consists of 48 bits, typically represented as 12 hexadecimal digits. Each pair of hexadecimal digits corresponds to one byte, meaning a MAC address is composed of six bytes (6 x 8 bits = 48 bits). This structure allows for an extensive range of unique addresses that can effectively identify devices within a network.

Understanding the significance of the 48-bit MAC address is crucial, as it supports the extensive number of devices connected to networks today. The other choices, while they represent different bit lengths commonly associated with various networking technologies—such as IPv4 (32 bits), and IPv6 (128 bits)—do not pertain to the standard length of a MAC address. This focus on the correct bit count helps clarify the structure and uniqueness of network identifiers.