The entire process is done by ARP broadcasting a request packet to every machine on LAN and asking them to identify their IP address. However, if the translation is not in the cache, the request is sent and allows ARP to perform. If the IP and MAC address already exists in the ARP cache, the new request of ARP becomes unnecessary. This network checks the ARP cache for the MAC address when a host requests to send a packet to another host via Local Area Network. An ARP cache is stored in every operating system in the form of an IPv4 Ethernet network. The record of the IP address and its connected MAC address is maintained in a table called the ARP cache. This gateway gives ARP the task of locating the MAC address to match the IP address. In this process, a packet doomed for a hosting machine on a specific LAN arrives at a gateway. How Does ARP Work?Ī new computer receives an IP address for identifying and communication after joining a Local Area Network. In this model, the MAC address lies in the data link layer or layer 2, and the IP address lies in the network layer or layer 3. ARP works between layers 2 and 3 of this model. The whole process happens with the help of the Open Systems Interconnection (OSI) model.

In short, ARP is known as a request and response protocol in which one device requests information and another device responds to it by providing the information over a LAN network. Thus, this translation makes their work more accessible as they can recognize each other efficiently. It is a fundamental process since the length of both addresses differs from each other. ARP works on translating the length of IP addresses (32-bit) and MAC addresses (48-bit), and vice-versa.

What Is ARP?Īddress Resolution Protocol or ARP connects Internet Protocol Address (IP address) to Media Access Control address (MAC address) in a Local Area Network or LAN. This post will show you how to find all IP addresses on a network using the Mac Address. But what if you don't see the IP address of a device in a local network? Finding a Mac address is very easy if you know the IP address. Every device connected to the network including, printer, switch, router, computer, tablets, and smartphones, has an IP address and Mac address that identify it on a network.

Get mac address from ip