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ARP Protocol

The Address Resolution Protocol (ARP) is used to map IP addresses to MAC addresses within a local network, primarily in IPv4 networks. It operates by broadcasting an ARP request to find the MAC address associated with a known IP address, to which the corresponding device responds with an ARP reply. ARP is essential for local communication but is vulnerable to security risks like ARP spoofing.

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2 views1 page

ARP Protocol

The Address Resolution Protocol (ARP) is used to map IP addresses to MAC addresses within a local network, primarily in IPv4 networks. It operates by broadcasting an ARP request to find the MAC address associated with a known IP address, to which the corresponding device responds with an ARP reply. ARP is essential for local communication but is vulnerable to security risks like ARP spoofing.

Uploaded by

rbagda669
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
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Download as TXT, PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
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The **ARP (Address Resolution Protocol)** is a network protocol used to map an IP

address to a MAC (Media Access Control) address within a local network. It's
primarily used in IPv4 networks to ensure that data packets can be properly routed
from one device to another within the same network.

Here's how ARP works:

1. **Purpose**: When a device on a local network wants to communicate with another


device, it needs to know the recipient's MAC address (which is used at the data
link layer). However, it typically knows only the recipient's IP address (used at
the network layer).

2. **ARP Request**: If a device (let’s call it Device A) wants to communicate with


another device (Device B), and it doesn't know Device B’s MAC address, Device A
will broadcast an **ARP request** on the network. This request asks, "Who has this
IP address? Please reply with your MAC address."

3. **ARP Reply**: The device with the matching IP address (Device B) will respond
with an **ARP reply**, providing its MAC address. The reply is typically sent
directly to Device A.

4. **Cache**: Once Device A receives the MAC address of Device B, it stores it in


its ARP cache for future use, so it doesn't need to send an ARP request every time
it wants to communicate with Device B.

### Key Points about ARP:


- **Local Network**: ARP only works within the local network (or subnet). If
communication needs to go beyond the local network (to another subnet), routers are
responsible for routing the traffic.
- **ARP Cache**: Devices maintain an ARP cache to avoid unnecessary ARP requests.
This cache stores IP-MAC address pairs for a certain time.
- **Security Risks**: ARP is vulnerable to attacks, such as **ARP
spoofing/poisoning**, where malicious devices can send fake ARP replies to
associate their MAC address with another device’s IP address, potentially allowing
man-in-the-middle attacks.

In short, ARP plays a crucial role in facilitating communication within local


networks by mapping IP addresses to MAC addresses, enabling devices to exchange
data at the data link layer.

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