What is a LAN ID?

A local Area Network (LAN) is a group of interconnected devices within a small geographic area, like an office building. LAN ID isn’t a standard term in IT and there is no universally accepted definition.

Sometimes, a LAN ID means a unique hardware identifier assigned to each device on a LAN, also known as a Media Access Controls (MAC) address. A MAC address allows the device to be differentiated from other devices, exchange data, and access shared resources, and allows network administrators to monitor network traffic. In other cases, a LAN ID means an Internet Protocol address (IP address). It can be used to identify a device on the internet and enables devices to communicate with each other.

The differences between MAC address and IP address

What is a LAN ID? It means different items under different contexts. As aforementioned, it can refer to a MAC address or IP address. Since both IP address and MAC address are used to identify devices on a network, you may need clarification. If so, look at the differences between MAC address and IP address.

• Address type: MAC address is a logical address while an IP address is a logical address that can be static or dynamic.
• Unchangeable or changeable: MAC address can’t be changed and IP address can be static or dynamic (DHCP).
• Security: MAC address is difficult to mask and IP address can be hidden or masked using tools like VPN.
• Network: IP address is used to identify devices on the internet network and MAC address identity devise within a local network area.

How do I find my MAC address and IP address?

Now, indeed you have a basic understanding of LAN ID. There are many occasions when we need to find out the MAC address of the network adapter or the IP address of a device. For example, to configure networking permission on a router or to remotely access a computer via Windows Remote Desktop. Different ways to find out the MAC address or IP address of a computer in Windows 11/10/8/7 are listed below and you can use the one that you like.

3 ways to find out MAC address

Way 1. Find out the MAC address from Settings

Step 1. Click Start button and go to Settings > Network & Internet.

Step 2. Click Ethernet or Wi-Fi and choose the connection.

Step 3. On the pop-up window, you can get the physical address of your device on the Properties section.

Way 2. Get the MAC address from CMD

Step 1. Press Windows + R, input cmd, and hit Enter to open CMD window.

Step 2. Run the command ipconfig/all and the MAC address will be displayed in the Physical Address.

Way 3. View the MAC address from System Information

Step 1. Press Windows + S to open Search box.

Step 2. Search for System Information and click System Information among the listed results to open the window.

Step 3. Go to Components > Network > Adapter.

Step 4. Scroll down to the network adapter that you want and confirm the MAC address of your computer.

2 ways to find out IP address

Way 1. Find out the IP address from Settings

The first two steps are as same as the steps to looking for MAC address from Settings.

On the window, you can find out the IP address of your computer listed next to IPv4 address.

Way 2. Check out IP address via CMD

Step 1. Press Windows + R, input cmd, and hit Enter to open CMD window.

Step 2. Run the command ipconfig and the IP address will be displayed next to IPv4 address.

Wrap things up

What is a LAN ID? Actually, it doesn’t have a fixed definition as it is not a standard term in IT. The post has illustrated the most possibilities, MAC address, and IP address. May it can be helpful!