What do computers use to identify devices on a network?

Computers use IP addresses to identify devices on a network because they provide a unique identifier for each device within that network. An IP address ensures that data can be sent to and received from the correct destination. Every device connected to a network, whether it is a computer, printer, or server, is assigned an IP address so that it can communicate with other devices over that network.

The structure of an IP address allows for devices to be addressed in a systematic way, enabling communication across both local and wide area networks, such as the internet. It serves as the fundamental way for devices to find and interact with one another within the network infrastructure.

Other options, while integral to networking, serve different purposes. MAC addresses uniquely identify network interface cards at the data link layer but are not the primary means for routing data on larger networks. Network protocols dictate the rules for communication and data transmission between devices, but they do not serve as identifiers themselves. Subnet masks are used to differentiate the network portion from the host portion of an IP address, assisting in routing within a subnet but are not used as identifiers.