ARP (Address Resolution Protocol): resolving IP addresses to MAC addresses

FondamentalARP Protocol

Devices communicate using IP[1] addresses, however, Ethernet uses MAC[4] addresses[2]. How does a device send a frame if it only knows the destination IP[1]? A mechanism is required to map -> ARP[3] resolves IP[1] addresses to MAC[4] addresses.

MéthodeARP process

  • Device sends ARP[3] request on the network

  • Target responds with its MAC[4]

  • MAC[4] cached for future communication