# man > ethers(5)

---
type: CommandReference
command: ethers
mode: man
section: 5
source: man-pages
---

## Quick Reference
- `/etc/ethers` — maps Ethernet (MAC) addresses to IP numbers. Format: `Ethernet-address IP-number`.

## Name
ethers - Ethernet address to IP number database

## Synopsis
`/etc/ethers` contains lines of the form:
`_Ethernet-address_ _IP-number_`
Separated by spaces or tabs. Lines starting with `#` are comments. The Ethernet address is six hex bytes in network byte order (big-endian), separated by colons (e.g., `08:00:20:00:61:CA`). The IP-number can be a hostname resolvable by DNS or a dotted decimal IP.

## Examples
text
08:00:20:00:61:CA  pal
## See Also
- [rarp(8)](https://www.chedong.com/phpMan.php/man/rarp/8/markdown)