ASL STEM

Definition

(Media Access Control address) a built-in number that uniquely and permanently identifies a network adapter, such as the Ethernet card in a PC. It consists of 12 hexadecimal digits, which may be written with or without hyphens, such as 13-24-6C-2D-FF-3A or 13246C2DFF3A. Under Windows 2000 and later, the MAC address can be displayed by typing ipconfig /all at a COMMAND PROMPT. Contrast IP ADDRESS, which is assigned manually or automatically by network administrators.

Source: Downing, Douglas, et al. Dictionary of Computer and Internet Terms. 10th ed. New York, 2009. Print.