How long is a MAC address in bytes?

A MAC address is 6 bytes long, which equates to 48 bits. This length is standardized for Ethernet and other network technologies that utilize MAC addressing. Each byte consists of 8 bits, and the representation of a MAC address typically appears as six groups of two hexadecimal digits, separated by colons or hyphens (e.g., 00:1A:2B:3C:4D:5E).

This standardization allows for a large number of unique addresses, as the 48-bit format can accommodate over 281 trillion different addresses. Understanding the size of a MAC address is crucial for networking professionals, particularly when dealing with network device identification and communication within local area networks. The other choices do not align with the established specifications for MAC addresses, as they do not provide the necessary address space required for today's networking needs.