A serial number is a unique, identifying number or group of numbers and letters assigned to an individual piece of hardware or software. The idea behind serial numbers is to identify a specific item, much like how a fingerprint identifies a specific person. Instead of some names or numbers that specify a whole range of products, a serial number is intended to provide a unique number to one device at a time.
Serial Number Breakdown
This number is used to identify the build date of the unit.
The 1st Digit is the decade: Beginning in 1978, the following breakdown applies. Decade Code G = 1970’s H = 1980’s J = 1990’s K = 2000’s M = 2010’s
The 2nd Digit is the exact year.
The 3rd and 4th digits denote the month
The 5th – 8th digits are for factory use.
The above number signifies that the is equipment built in November, 2006.