Step-by-Step Guide to Purchasing MAC Addresses from IEEE for Your Devices

Currently, the Nordic Wifi module – AN7002Q on Raytac’s AN7002Q-DB-5340 board isn’t loaded with a Wi-Fi MAC address. You can choose to use your own MAC address or request one from Raytac. Below is a complete tutorial for users who would like to purchase MAC addresses themselves.

Note: Raytac provides two free Wi-Fi MAC addresses (2.4GHz & 5GHz bands) for each AN7002Q module.
If you have a Raytac AN7002Q-DB-5340 demo board but have not received the Wi-Fi MAC addresses, please contact us at sales@raytac.com.



What is a MAC Address?

A MAC address (Media Access Control address) is a unique identifier used to identify network devices. It is typically composed of six groups of two hexadecimal digits, for example, 00:1A:2B:3C:4D:5E. The first six characters are known as the Organizationally Unique Identifier (OUI), which identifies the manufacturer or supplier of the MAC address. Manufacturers can use the OUI to identify the producer of the device.

Each network device’s MAC address should be unique. It is an important identifier used for unique identification among network devices, ensuring that devices can communicate correctly within a local area network. However, it is important to note that MAC addresses can be modified within a local network, so they should not be relied upon as the sole basis for security.


How to Obtain a MAC Address?

The application and distribution of MAC addresses are managed by IEEE (Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers). Here’s how to apply for a MAC address from IEEE:
Currently, MAC addresses can only be purchased directly from the IEEE Standards Association in the United States. Depending on the quantity, they can be categorized as:

MA-L (approximately 16 million addresses)
MA-M (approximately 1 million addresses)
MA-S (4096 addresses)



Purchase process

1. Register for an IEEE Account
Visit IEEE’s official website to create an account.


2. Log in and go to the MAC Address Purchase Page
After logging in, navigate to the MAC address purchase page: IEEE MAC Address Purchase


3. Select the number of MAC Addresses to purchase.


4. Fill in your purchase information by providing the required details.


5. Confirm confidentiality
Confirm whether the MAC address purchase is confidential. If you are purchasing publicly registered MA-L, select “No" for this option.


6. Choose payment method
IEEE accepts several payment methods, including mailing a U.S. bank draft, wire transfer in U.S. dollars, and online credit card payment.


7. Receive your OUI
Within 7 working days, IEEE will send an email to the registered email address containing the purchased OUI.


After obtaining the OUI, you can retrieve all the purchased MAC addresses using code and then import them into a database or Excel for management.



Edited by Sales Manager: Ms. Vicky Huang


Raytac Corporation 勁達國際電子股份有限公司 
A Bluetooth, Wi-Fi, and LoRa Module Maker based on
Nordic nRF54; nRF53: nRF52; nRF51; nRF7002
Semtech Specification: SX1262

Bluetooth Specification: BT5.4 ; BT5.3 ; BT5.2.
Wi-Fi Specification: Wi-Fi 6
LoRa Specification: LoRaWAN

All products are FCC/IC/CE/Telec/KC/RCM/SRRC/NCC/WPC Pre-Certified.
http://www.raytac.com
email: sales@raytac.com
Tel: +886-2-3234-0208


Secure DFU OTA for nRF52832 solution modules: Creating hex/zip file for implementation – Part 2(Combining/merging built files)

Following up – Part 1: Bootloader & Application (Click for article link),

We will be focusing on:

in this article.

IC: nRF52832
DK: PCA10040 (for nRF52832)
SDK: 16.0.0
Softdevice: s132_nrf52_7.0.1_softdevice.hex
IDE: Keil C
PC: Win 10




Step 1. Execute the combine batch file in bootloader (nrf52832_bootloader_setting_merge.bat) and generate file of nrf52832_bootloader_secure_combin_settings.hex :

@echo off
title = [ J-Link Tool ] %CD%
set nrfDir=C:\Program Files (x86)\Nordic Semiconductor\nrf5x\bin
set BS= nrf52832_bootloader_secure_settings.hex
set BL= nrf52832_xxaa_s132.hex
set BSBLCombind= nrf52832_bootloader_secure_combin_settings.hex
set path=%nrfDir%;%path%
pause
echo ———–merge image file——————-
mergehex.exe -m %BS% %BL% -o %BSBLCombind%
pause



Step 2. Create a Final.hex file by 3-in-1 batch file(nrf52832_3in1_merge.bat)
※Note : This hex file is created for the production line to pre-load firmware into modules prior to shipment.

@echo off
title = [ J-Link Tool ] %CD%
set nrfDir=C:UsersuserDesktopNordic BLEnRF5_merge toolsnRF52 bin
set SD= s140_nrf52_7.2.0_softdevice.hex
set BLT= nrf52832_bootloader_secure_combin_settings.hex
set APP= nrf52832_xxaa.hex
set SD_BLT=SD_BLT.hex
set Finalfile=Final.hex
set path=%nrfDir%;%path%
pause
echo ———–merge image file——————-
mergehex.exe -m %SD% %BLT% -o %SD_BLT%
pause
mergehex.exe -m %SD_BLT% %APP% -o %Finalfile%
pause



Step 3. Create a DFU(OTA).zip file of nrf52832_xxaa.zip
※Note : This zip file is created for end device DFU(OTA) implementation.

nrfutil pkg generate –hw-version 52 –sd-req 0xCB –application-version 0xFF –application
nrf52832_xxaa.hex –key-file private.pem nrf52832_xxaa.zip

The DFU OTA zip file will be derived.

※Note :
The “0xCB" appeared in the above DOS code(in red font) is the FWID(Firmware ID) for s140_nrf52_7.2.0_softdevice.hex;
FWID can be found from the soft device documents on the Nordic website.




Step 4: Run DFU OTA (On mobile in this example)


4A. Install the nRF Connect APP on mobile, with DFU OTA file: nrf52832_xxaa.zip. (Download link)


4B. Send nrf52832_xxaa.zip via email to mobile device after combination is done on PC, then download it.


4C. Open nRF Connect APP and run connection;


4D. Execute DFU and select “Distribution packet(ZIP)", thus starting the DFU OTA process.


4E. Start DFU OTA → exit the APP after DFU OTA is completed → restart the mobile device.



Secure DFU OTA for nRF52832 solution modules: Guide to create hex/zip file for implementation
Detailed links of articles:
Part 1: Bootloader & Application (Click for article link)
Part 2: Combining & merging built files



Technical guidelines provided by R&D Manager: Mr. MW Lee
Edited by Sales Manager: Ms. Mandy Chao


Raytac Corporation 勁達國際電子股份有限公司 
Raytac Corporation: A Bluetooth, Wi-Fi, and LoRa Module Maker based on
Nordic nRF54; nRF53: nRF52; nRF51; nRF7002
Semtech Specification: SX1262

Bluetooth Specification: BT5.4 ; BT5.3; BT5.2.
Wi-Fi Specification: Wi-Fi 6
LoRa Specification: LoRaWAN

All products are FCC/IC/CE/Telec/KC/RCM/SRRC/NCC Pre-Certified.
http://www.raytac.com
email: sales@raytac.com
Tel: +886-2-3234-0208