Address Resolution Protocol (ARP)

Address Resolution Protocol (ARP) is a system used in computer networks to match device identifiers. When a device wants to communicate with another on the same local network, it knows the recipient's IP address but needs its physical hardware (MAC) address. ARP helps by broadcasting a request asking, "Who has this IP address?" The device with that IP responds with its MAC address. This mapping allows data to be sent directly to the correct hardware, ensuring effective local network communication. In essence, ARP translates a device's IP address into its physical device identifier.