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There are two types of network addressing schemes. One is for identifying nodes on a shared Data Link layer LAN. The other is used to identify hosts in an internetwork environment.

• LAN addressing    A LAN is a shared media access system. Each node has a MAC (Media Access Control) address that is factory-programmed into its NIC (network interface card). One node transmits on the cable, and all the rest listen. Frames are addressed to either one of the nodes or, in the case of a broadcast, all of the nodes.


• Internetwork addressing    An internetwork is a collection of LANs and/or other networks that are connected with routers. Each network has a unique address and each node on the network has a unique address, so an address is network address/node address combination. In the TCP/IP protocol suite, IP is responsible for network layer addressing.