How many bytes is the Destination MAC Address in an Ethernet header?

The Destination MAC Address in an Ethernet header is 6 bytes long. This is a fundamental aspect of the Ethernet frame structure, which adheres to the IEEE 802.3 standard. Each MAC address is represented as a unique identifier assigned to network interfaces for communication on the physical network segment.

A MAC address consists of 48 bits, which converts to 6 bytes (since 1 byte equals 8 bits). The MAC address is typically expressed in hexadecimal notation, resulting in 12 hexadecimal characters, but each character represents half a byte. This is why the total length of the address is 6 bytes, and understanding this format is essential for networking professionals interacting with network hardware and protocols.

Recognizing the length of the Destination MAC Address is crucial for network design and troubleshooting, as this information is necessary when analyzing Ethernet frames or configuring networking devices.