Address Resolution Protocol

Network Address

First "address" in a network or subnet; "wire address", useful when describing a subnet: all 0s.

Broadcast Address

Last "address" in a network or subnet; all the 1s for the network or subnet host id.

Address Resolution Protocol (ARP)

Method for finding a host's hardware address (MAC) when only its network layer address (IP) is known. Address of target host if on local network; addresses of a router if host is not on local network.

ARP Mediation

Process of resolving Layer 2 addresses when different resolution protocols are used on either circuit.

Inverse Address Resolution Protocol (InARP)

Protocol used for obtaining Layer 3 addresses of other stations from Layer 2 addresses; primarily used in Frame Relay and ATM networks.