TITLE
    Built-in Ethernet: Determining Hardware Address
Article ID:
Created:
Modified:
9820
2/25/92
11/21/00

TOPIC

    This article describes how to find the hardware Ethernet address for Apple computers and LaserWriter printers with built-in Ethernet.


DISCUSSION

    Built-in Ethernet computers using MacTCP

    Generally this information is not required in order to set up an AppleTalk network. However, here are four methods to find the built-in Ethernet address:

    Note: In order to obtain the Built-In Ethernet hardware address, the card will need to be initialized (hooked up to a valid Ethernet network).
    • Use MacTCP to identify the Ethernet address by opening MacTCP and using the Option key when selecting the Ethernet icon. For this to work you must be sure the caps lock key is NOT depressed, and connected to an Ethernet network.
    • If your computer is using Open Transport (OT) 1.1 there is a built-in feature that lets you find the Ethernet hardware address. Follow the steps below: (Your computer has to be on the Ethernet network to do this. If it is not, you cannot perform these steps.)
          1. Open the AppleTalk control panel.
          2. Go to the Edit menu and select User Mode.
          3. Select the Advanced radio button and click OK.
          4. Click Info.
          5. The hardware address is displayed in the AppleTalk Info window.
    • You can also use the Apple LAN Utility to report the burned in address without being connected to a network. This article can help you locate the Apple LAN Utility software, "Where To Find Apple Software Updates" -- Lists online services for free Apple software updates.
    • You can obtain the AG Group EtherPeek network monitoring application, which includes a utility called it GetMyAddress. This utility will also return the address of the computer's internal Ethernet interface.

    Built-in Ethernet computers using Open Transport

    Built-in Ethernet computers using Open Transport includes any NuBus-based or PCI-based Power Macintosh computer with Mac OS 7.6 or later and configured for Open Transport.

    You can find the hardware Ethernet address by opening the AppleTalk control panel and clicking the Info button in either the Advanced, or Administrator mode, shown in Figure 1. To access the Advanced or Administrator mode, choose User Mode from the Edit menu.

    Note: If you have a Power Macintosh 9500 computer with version 1.0 of the System Enabler 701, you should update to System 7.5.3 or later with Open Transport 1.1 or later.




    Figure 1 AppleTalk control panel

    You can also use one of the following to find the Ethernet address:

    Apple System Profiler 2.1.2

    The Network Overview (under System Profile tab) has information that will detail the hardware Ethernet address, shown in Figure 2.




    Figure 2 Apple System Profiler Network Overview tab

    Current versions of GetMyAddress and other network utilities may not work with System 7.5.2 that came on some PCI-based Power Macintosh computers like the 7200, 7500, 8500, and 9500. You have a number of options.

    Standard UNIX Tools

    Many system administrators may require Ethernet hardware addresses for bootpd and rarpd configurations. If you are using a UNIX host for these network configuration services, you can use standard UNIX tools to determine the hardware address. Follow these steps:
      1. Configure TCP/IP to the desired IP address.
      2. Ping the Power Macintosh with Open Transport from a UNIX workstation.
      3. Use arp to display address resolution table. For example, in A/UX the command would be "arp -a".

    Built-in Ethernet LaserWriters

    To obtain the address of built-in Ethernet LaserWriters, you can use the LaserWriter utility that ships with the printer. Simply print the configuration page from within the LaserWriter utility program. The printout includes the physical address of the Ethernet interface. You must also be connected to an Ethernet network.

    Knowledge Base article 17159: " Locating Vendor Information " can help you search for a particular vendor's address and phone number.

Document Information
Product Area: Communications-Networking
Category: LocalTalk-EtherTalk-Token Ring
Sub Category: General Topics
Keywords: supt

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