IP address and MAC address is the same point that they are unique, different characteristics are:
1. For a device on the network, such as a computer or a router, the IP address of the variable (but must be unique), while the MAC address can not be changed. We can specify any IP address to a host as needed, as we can give a computer on the LAN to assign IP addresses 192.168.0.112, it can also be changed to 192.168.0.200. And any network devices (e.g., network cards, routers) Once produced, the MAC address is always unique and can not be changed by the user.
2. The different lengths. 32-bit IP address, MAC address 48 bits.
3. Assign a different basis. Allocation of IP addresses is assigned based on the network topology, MAC address is based on the manufacturer.
4. addressing different protocol layers. IP address of the OSI applied to the third layer, i.e. network layer, and the MAC address of the OSI Application Layer, i.e. the data link layer. Data link layer protocol allows data transfer from one node to another node on the same link (MAC address), and the network layer protocol so that the data can be passed from one network to another network (ARP destination IP address, find the MAC address of the intermediate node, the intermediate node by transmitting to a final destination network)