[e2e] use of MAC addresses

[Detlef Bosau]

rick jones wrote:
> 
> On Apr 10, 2006, at 12:20 PM, Fahad Dogar wrote:
> 
>> I have a very basic question: in theory, can we NOW use IP addresses
>> in place of MAC addresses. In other words, is there any other use of
>> MAC addresses other than using them for legacy reasons?
> 
> 
> I thought that IP (v4) addresses preceded MAC addresses?  And it seems 
> odd to present it as a either-or proposition.
> 

This is particularly true as some kinds of links don´t even have MAC 
addresses, think of P-2-P links for example.

In other kinds of networks, subnet specific addresses as MAC addresses 
are required for some technology specific tasks, think of the MAC 
algorithm in Token Bus networks for example.

Detlef

-- 
Detlef Bosau
Galileistrasse 30
70565 Stuttgart
Mail: detlef.bosau at web.de
Web: http://www.detlef-bosau.de
Mobile: +49 172 681 9937