If I'm correct, MAC addresses are hardwired into the chips on any
network interface. Part of the address identifies the manufacturer of the
interface, and I'm not positive what the rest of the address is for. Type of
a serial number (of sorts), I guess. So to replace them, you would need to
reprogram one of the chips on the NIC itself.

	Why change the MAC address anyway? I'm confused there...

	Does anyone know the full story?

---   David A Woyciesjes
---   C & IS Support Specialist
---   Yale University Press
---   mailto:david.woyciesjes@yale.edu
---   (203) 432-0953
---   ICQ # - 905818

> ----------
> From: 	der Mouse
> Sent: 	Thursday, June 15, 2000 12:36 PM
> To: 	port-alpha@netbsd.org
> Subject: 	Changing MAC addresses?
> 
> The system in question is an AlphaPC 164LX 533, with a 21140A-based de0
> and a 3c905B-based ex0 (according to dmesg - full messages below).
> 
> I wish to cause one or both of those to run with a different MAC
> address than its default.  (More specifically, I want the machine to
> use the same MAC address on some subset of its interfaces.)  I'm
> prepared to hack drivers as necessary...BUT...dev/pci/if_de.c is a maze
> of twisty little function pointers, all different, and I'm not even
> sure I've *found* the relevant driver files for the ex; it appears to
> be scattered over at least three directories.  So what I'm looking for
> is someone who knows those drivers enough to give me an initial hand
> up, finding the appropriate place to wade in with a machete...anyone
> willing and able?
> 
>