What happens during a MAC address conflict?

During a MAC address conflict, two devices on the same network mistakenly claim the same MAC address. Each network device is typically assigned a unique MAC address, and these addresses are essential for proper communication within the network. When a conflict arises, the two devices may attempt to send and receive data simultaneously, leading to confusion in packet delivery.

As a result of this conflict, connectivity issues occur, as the network can't reliably determine which device should receive the data packets intended for that MAC address. This can lead to dropped packets, misrouted traffic, and overall network instability, preventing affected devices from communicating properly with others on the network. In this situation, the devices may not be able to connect to the network or may experience intermittent connectivity problems until the conflict is resolved, often requiring manual intervention to correct the issue.