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If I already have a physical address (MAC), what is the utility of a logical address (IP)?
Why networks need both types of address to function?
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This question of yours doesn’t seem to be about programming, but here are some curiosities that might help you to understand better:
MAC address
It is a unique identification that each network card has, whether wired or wireless. The MAC acts on the Link layer of the OSI model and is used by second tier (traditional) Witchs to deliver packages to their destinations.
IP address
It identifies a host (computer, router, printer, etc.) and acts on the network layer of the OSI model. The IP address is used by routers to forward packets to their destinations.
Why do we need both?
Because the IP address is also responsible for identifying which network the hosts belong to and this portion of the network is defined by the subnet mask linked to the IP. Already the MAC does not know anything about networks.
Important detail
As a packet travels over the network, the source and destination IP addresses are always the same, but the source and destination MAC addresses are constantly modified and indicate which was the last device the packet went through and which will be the next one it will pass.
In short, IP is used to guide information from one network to another and MAC to guide information from one device to another directly connected (same network).
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