Any device that has an Ethernet interface requires a unique ‘MAC’ address, which is programmed at the point of manufacture. This address is literally unique – every Ethernet device in the world has a different MAC address. (The MAC address should not be confused with a devices IP address, which is an entirely separate address that does not have to be unique across the world). If you are manufacturing a product that includes an Ethernet interface you will need purchase a block of MAC addresses. The IEEE is the body responsible for issuing MAC addresses to manufacturers. Their web site is at:-

http://www.iee.org

If you do not already own a block of addresses the IEEE offers two options:-

To obtain a block of 4,096 MAC addresses from the IEEE (IAB – Individual Address Block)

The fee for this is $550 (05/2009)

Use the following link:

http://standards.ieee.org/regauth/oui/pilot-ind.html

or if the page has moved search the IEEE site for

Request Form for an Individual Address Block (aka Ethernet address)Block of 4,096 Addresses

To obtain a block of 16,777,214 MAC addresses from the IEEE (OUI – Organizationally Unique Identifier)

The fee for this is $1650 (05/2009)

Use the following link:

http://standards.ieee.org/regauth/oui/forms/

or if the page has moved search the IEEE site for

Request Form for IEEE Organizationally Unique Identifier or ‘company_id’ (aka Ethernet address)

The following page includes links on how to use the addresses once purchased:-

http://standards.ieee.org/regauth/oui/index.shtml

Once purchased you may use the assigned addresses for programming into devices at the end of the manufacture process. You must ensure that good record keeping is kept so that each address purchased is only ever programmed into one device. Typically this involves recording the last addressed used at the end of each batch of products.