Unique MAC address??

[ZX]

Here is an interesting question for the network experts:

All network devices are uniquely identified by their MAC addresses. I know there is an organisation that governs these addresses to make sure each device receives an unique one (I'm not sure whether it is the IEEE or ISO or someone else).

Now, my question is, what would happen should two devices with the same MAC address be connected to the same network? And, believe me, despite what people think, this is possible. I can program the MAC address of my onboard LAN in my BIOS setup.

Would this be an interesting prank or a serious network screw up?

[Werner]

the machine that joined the network last will bump the current mac address off the network, if i remember correctly.

[Pulse]

Something like that, read it somewhere, but can't remember exactly what it said

not much help ... hehe

Pulse

[Werner]

also, to follow on the "programming" your own mac address.
in many many network card's driver properties tab you have a drop down dialog box where you can set your link speed to auto/full/half duplex etc. you will also see an option there for "network address", just select that, and then type your "new" mac address into the box on the right.
done!

[ZX]

Darn! I thought one could use this to bring down big nasty networks Just kidding. Good to know that I won't do too much damage if I enter a used MAC.