What is ARP and RARP?
�ARP (Address Resolution Protocol)
ARP is used to find the MAC address (physical address) of a device, if its IP
address is known.
Used in LAN (Local Area Network).
Example: "I know the IP address of the device, but I need its MAC address to send
data."
�RARP (Reverse Address Resolution Protocol)
RARP is used to find the IP address of a device, if its MAC address is known.
Used when a computer (like diskless systems) doesn’t know its own IP address.
Example: "I know my MAC address, but I need to know my IP address."
Difference between ARP and RARP
Feature ARP (Address Resolution Protocol) RARP (Reverse Address Resolution Protocol)
Purpose Find MAC address from IP Find IP address from MAC
Used by Any device to send data on LAN Diskless devices during boot-up
Direction IP ➡ MAC MAC ➡ IP
Works with Sender knows IP address Sender knows MAC address
Protocol Type Network Layer ↔ Data Link Layer Data Link Layer ↔ Network Layer
Working of ARP (with Easy Diagram)
Scenario:
Device A wants to send data to Device B.
A knows B’s IP address but not its MAC address.
�Steps of ARP:
1. Device A broadcasts an ARP request:
"Who has IP 192.168.1.2? Tell me your MAC address!"
2. All devices receive the request.
Only Device B replies:
"I have IP 192.168.1.2, my MAC is B1:B2:B3:B4:B5:B6"
3. Device A receives the reply and updates its ARP table.
4. Now Device A can send the actual data using B’s MAC address.
�ARP Diagram:
[Device A]
IP: 192.168.1.1
MAC: A1:A2:A3:A4
|
| ARP Request: "Who has IP 192.168.1.2?"
v (Broadcast)
[Device B] -------------------------> Replies: "My MAC is B1:B2:B3:B4"
IP: 192.168.1.2
MAC: B1:B2:B3:B4
|
v
[Device A] updates ARP table and sends data to B's MAC
✅Summary
ARP: Finds MAC from IP. Used for sending data in LAN.
RARP: Finds IP from MAC. Used by devices at boot time.
ARP sends a broadcast, and the target device replies with its MAC.
IP
What is IP?
IP (Internet Protocol) is the system used to identify devices on a network using unique
addresses (like phone numbers for computers).
Each device on the internet must have an IP address.
What is IPv4?
Full form: Internet Protocol version 4
Launched: 1981
Address size: 32 bits
Format: Four numbers separated by dots (e.g. 192.168.1.1)
Total Addresses: Around 4.3 billion
�Example:
IPv4 Address: 192.168.0.1
�Problems with IPv4:
Due to the internet's growth, IPv4 is running out of addresses.
What is IPv5?
IPv5 was an experimental version of IP.
It was never officially launched as a public protocol.
Mainly used for streaming services and voice communication (like Voice over IP).
Also known as ST2 (Stream Protocol 2).
✅So, IPv5 is skipped, and we moved directly to IPv6 due to IPv4 limitations.
What is IPv6?
Full form: Internet Protocol version 6
Launched: 1998
Address size: 128 bits
Format: Eight groups of four hexadecimal digits (e.g.
2001:0db8:85a3:0000:0000:8a2e:0370:7334)
Total Addresses: 3.4×10³⁸ – almost unlimited!
�Example:
IPv6 Address: 2001:0db8:85a3::8a2e:0370:7334
�Benefits of IPv6:
Much more IP addresses than IPv4.
Better security and performance.
Supports modern internet needs like IoT (Internet of Things).
Summary Table
Feature IPv4 IPv5 IPv6
Version 4 5 (experimental) 6
Address Length 32 bits 64 bits (test) 128 bits
Decimal (e.g.
Address Format Not in use Hexadecimal (e.g. 2001::1)
192.0.2.1)
Total Addresses ~4.3 billion N/A ~340 undecillion
Launched 1981 Not public 1998
Most common (still
Usage Test only Modern internet protocol
used)
What is the OSI Model?
The OSI Model is a conceptual framework that standardizes how computers communicate
over a network.
Developed by ISO (International Organization for Standardization).
It has 7 layers, each with a specific function.
Helps different hardware and software systems communicate efficiently.
✅7 Layers of OSI Model (from bottom to top):
7.Application
6.Presentation
5.Session
4.Transport
3.Network
2.Data Link
1.Physical
�Layer 1: Physical Layer
Function: Transmits raw bits (0s and 1s) over the physical medium.
Hardware-related: cables, switches, connectors.
Deals with:
✅Voltage levels
✅Data rates
✅Transmission mode (simplex, half, full duplex)
Example: Ethernet cable, fiber optics.
�Layer 2: Data Link Layer
Function: Converts raw transmission into a reliable link.
Ensures error-free delivery between directly connected nodes.
Divided into:
o MAC (Media Access Control)
o LLC (Logical Link Control)
Example: MAC address, switches, error checking.
�Layer 3: Network Layer
Function: Responsible for routing data between devices across different networks.
Adds the IP address to the data packet.
Finds the best path using routers.
Example: IP (IPv4/IPv6), routers.
�Layer 4: Transport Layer
Function: Ensures end-to-end communication.
Handles data delivery, error recovery, flow control, and retransmission.
Two main protocols:
o TCP (reliable)
o UDP (faster, but less reliable)
Example: TCP, UDP, port numbers.
�Layer 5: Session Layer
Function: Manages sessions between two applications.
Controls starting, maintaining, and ending communication sessions.
Example: Login sessions, online meetings, APIs.
�Layer 6: Presentation Layer
Function: Ensures data is in the correct format for the application.
Handles encryption, compression, and translation.
Example: SSL, JPEG, MP4, ASCII to binary.
�Layer 7: Application Layer
Function: Provides user interface and interacts with software applications.
Where network services are accessed by users.
Example: Web browsers, Email clients, FTP apps, DNS.
✅OSI Model Summary Table:
Layer Name Function Examples
7 Application User interface, network services HTTP, FTP, DNS
6 Presentation Data format, encryption, compression JPEG, SSL, ASCII
5 Session Start/maintain/end communication NetBIOS, RPC
4 Transport Reliable delivery, error checking TCP, UDP, port numbers
3 Network Routing, logical addressing (IP) IP, ICMP, Routers
2 Data Link MAC address, error detection/correction Ethernet, Switches
1 Physical Transmitting bits over medium Cables, NICs, Hubs
