Internet Protocols Questions Medium
The purpose of the Reverse Address Resolution Protocol (RARP) is to allow a device to obtain its IP address when it knows only its physical address (MAC address). RARP is used in situations where a device does not have a configured IP address and needs to obtain one dynamically.
In a typical scenario, a device without an IP address sends a RARP request packet to the local network. This packet contains its MAC address and requests the corresponding IP address. A RARP server on the network receives this request and checks its database to find the IP address associated with the provided MAC address. The RARP server then sends a RARP reply packet back to the requesting device, containing the IP address.
Once the device receives the RARP reply, it can configure its IP address based on the information provided. This allows the device to join the network and communicate with other devices using IP-based protocols.
RARP is commonly used in diskless workstations or devices that do not have permanent storage to store their IP configuration. It provides a way for these devices to obtain an IP address dynamically without manual configuration. However, RARP has been largely replaced by more advanced protocols like DHCP (Dynamic Host Configuration Protocol) in modern networks.