What do we mean when we say that MAC addresses are flat?

What is the benefit of having a flat addressing scheme? .

Can a stateless firewall block TCP connection initiation requests from an external location to any local host, but at the same time allow returning traffic from connections initiated by local hosts? Why or why not?

 

What do we mean when we say that MAC addresses are flat?

When MAC addresses are flat, it contains Multiple hosts on the same network and it has no relationship between MAC addresses.

Step-by-step explanation

What is the benefit of having a flat addressing scheme? .

A flat address space has the advantage that no configuration of devices is required; a device can use its unique, manufacturer-assigned MAC address anywhere on any network.

Can a stateless firewall block TCP connection initiation requests from an external location to any local host, but at the same time allow returning traffic from connections initiated by local hosts? Why or why not?

Yes. The firewall filters out SYN-packets to a local host, but allows SYNACK and other packets to flow through.