The media access control address is a unique identifier assigned to a network interface controller for communication at the data link layer of a network. On devices running the Android operating system, this address is typically associated with the Wi-Fi or Bluetooth adapter. Identifying this alphanumeric code allows for network administration tasks such as device filtering, access control, and network troubleshooting. For example, a network administrator might use this code to grant or deny access to a Wi-Fi network based on a list of approved devices.
Knowledge of this identification number provides several benefits. Network administrators can use it to enhance network security by implementing address filtering, preventing unauthorized devices from accessing the network. It also allows for tracking device activity on a network and diagnosing network connectivity issues specific to a particular device. Historically, this identifier was crucial for initial network configurations and remains a valuable tool for network management.