Which protocol is used to map IP addresses to MAC addresses within a local network?

Get ready for your networking concepts exam! Study with flashcards and multiple-choice questions that include hints and explanations. Enhance your understanding and achieve success!

Multiple Choice

Which protocol is used to map IP addresses to MAC addresses within a local network?

Explanation:
On a local network, devices need to convert IP addresses to MAC addresses to actually place frames on the data link. This mapping is done by the Address Resolution Protocol. When a device wants to reach a specific IP on the same LAN, it first checks its ARP cache. If the mapping isn’t known, it broadcasts an ARP request asking who has that IP and telling the requester’s MAC address. The device with the matching IP responds with an ARP reply that includes its MAC address, and the requester stores this mapping for future use. With the MAC address now known, the sender can place the destination MAC in the Ethernet frame and deliver the data. Note that ARP is used with IPv4; IPv6 uses a different mechanism called Neighbor Discovery Protocol. DNS translates hostnames to IP addresses, not MAC addresses, and TCP/UDP are transport-layer protocols that rely on IP/MAC addressing after the address resolution step.

On a local network, devices need to convert IP addresses to MAC addresses to actually place frames on the data link. This mapping is done by the Address Resolution Protocol. When a device wants to reach a specific IP on the same LAN, it first checks its ARP cache. If the mapping isn’t known, it broadcasts an ARP request asking who has that IP and telling the requester’s MAC address. The device with the matching IP responds with an ARP reply that includes its MAC address, and the requester stores this mapping for future use. With the MAC address now known, the sender can place the destination MAC in the Ethernet frame and deliver the data.

Note that ARP is used with IPv4; IPv6 uses a different mechanism called Neighbor Discovery Protocol. DNS translates hostnames to IP addresses, not MAC addresses, and TCP/UDP are transport-layer protocols that rely on IP/MAC addressing after the address resolution step.

Subscribe

Get the latest from Examzify

You can unsubscribe at any time. Read our privacy policy