How does the ARP work?
Sophia Edwards
Updated on April 18, 2026
Likewise, how do ARP and RARP work?
RARP is a TCP/IP protocol that allows any hostto obtain its IP address from the server. RARP isadapted from the ARP protocol and it is just reverse ofARP. The sender broadcast the RARP request toall the other host present in the network. The RARP requestpacket contains the physical address of the sender.
Likewise, why is ARP needed? Basically, ARP is a function of the IP layer ofthe TCP/IP protocol stack. It is necessary to translate a host?ssoftware address (IP address) to a hardware address (MAC address).Typically, a host uses ARP to determine the hardware addressof another host. The ARP protocol creates entries asneeded.
In this regard, how does ARP work in Layer 3?
ARP works between network layers 2 and3 of the Open Systems Interconnection model (OSI model). TheMAC address exists on layer 2 of the OSI model, the networklayer, while the IP address exists on layer 3, thedata link layer.
Why is ARP used?
ARP - Address Resolution Protocol Short for Address Resolution Protocol, a network layerprotocol used to convert an IP address into a physicaladdress (called a DLC address), such as an Ethernet address. Thereis also Reverse ARP (RARP)which can be used by a hostto discover its IP address.