Question:
Which protocol is used to resolve IP addresses to MAC addresses?
Which protocol is used to resolve IP addresses to MAC addresses?
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Remember the acronyms: ARP = Address Resolution Protocol (IP -> MAC). RARP = Reverse ARP (MAC -> IP).
Updated On: Jul 2, 2026
- ARP
- RARP
- ICMP
- DHCP
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The Correct Option is A
Solution and Explanation
In a network, devices use IP addresses (Layer 3) to communicate across different networks, but they use MAC addresses (Layer 2) to communicate within the same local network segment. A mechanism is needed to find the MAC address of a device when only its IP address is known.
(A) ARP (Address Resolution Protocol): This is the protocol that performs this exact function. A host sends an ARP request broadcast onto the local network, asking Who has this IP address?. The device with that IP address replies with an ARP response containing its MAC address.
(B) RARP (Reverse Address Resolution Protocol): This is an obsolete protocol that does the opposite: it resolves a known MAC address to an IP address. It has been largely replaced by protocols like BOOTP and DHCP.
(C) ICMP (Internet Control Message Protocol): Used for error reporting and network diagnostics (e.g., ping).
(D) DHCP (Dynamic Host Configuration Protocol): Used to automatically assign IP addresses and other network configuration parameters to devices on a network.
Therefore, ARP is the protocol used to resolve IP addresses to MAC addresses.
(A) ARP (Address Resolution Protocol): This is the protocol that performs this exact function. A host sends an ARP request broadcast onto the local network, asking Who has this IP address?. The device with that IP address replies with an ARP response containing its MAC address.
(B) RARP (Reverse Address Resolution Protocol): This is an obsolete protocol that does the opposite: it resolves a known MAC address to an IP address. It has been largely replaced by protocols like BOOTP and DHCP.
(C) ICMP (Internet Control Message Protocol): Used for error reporting and network diagnostics (e.g., ping).
(D) DHCP (Dynamic Host Configuration Protocol): Used to automatically assign IP addresses and other network configuration parameters to devices on a network.
Therefore, ARP is the protocol used to resolve IP addresses to MAC addresses.
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