[e2e] use of MAC addresses

[Joe Touch]

Charles M. Hannum wrote:
> On Thu, Apr 13, 2006 at 02:29:07PM -0700, Joe Touch wrote:
>>> The big selling point of MAC addresses is to make it easy to implement
>>> determistic algorithms for discovering and maintaining IP address
>>> mappings. 
>> That's only relevant for shared media. Point-to-point media don't need
>> that capability.
> 
> Great, so little's ditch traditional shared Ethernet, Ethernet switching
> and 802.11 -- which are all forms of "shared media."  Let's build a New
> Internet with only point-to-point links!
> 
> Wait, whose fantasy world is this?

The "" in your response is important; many "shared media" these days
aren't. That doesn't mean the MAC address isn't still useful, but it
does mean it may not be necessary.

Joe