When a computer wants to send data to another computer on a LAN, it needs to know the physical address of the destination computer. ARP provides the mechanism to determine this physical address.
Here's how ARP works:
1. A computer sends an ARP request message onto the network. This message includes the IP address of the destination computer.
2. Any device on the same network that has the corresponding IP address will respond to the ARP request with an ARP reply message. This message includes the physical address of the responding device.
3. The computer that sent the ARP request now has the physical address of the destination computer and can send data directly to that address.
ARP is a vital protocol for maintaining communication on a LAN. It enables devices to find each other and exchange data efficiently.