How many sections is a MAC address typically divided into?

A MAC address is typically divided into two sections. The first section is known as the Organizationally Unique Identifier (OUI), which is assigned to a manufacturer by the Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE). This identifies the specific organization that produced the network interface card (NIC). The second section is known as the Network Interface Controller (NIC) specific portion, which is used to uniquely identify the device within the manufacturer's range. Together, these two sections create a globally unique address for the device on a network.

Understanding this division is crucial for identifying devices and managing network configurations effectively, as it directly impacts how devices communicate over local area networks and facilitates the proper routing of data packets.