The ARP Table

Address Resolution Protocol (ARP) is the method for finding a MAC hardware address when only the IP address is known. The S- K- and 7100-Series firmware allows you to configure Address Resolution Protocol (ARP) table entries. The S- and K-Series firmware allows you to configure ARP parameters. ARP is used to associate IP addresses with MAC addresses. Once determined, the IP address and MAC association is stored in an ARP cache for rapid retrieval. An IP datagram is then encapsulated into a link‐layer frame and sent over the network. A retransmit time period can be set to determine how often ARP requests are transmitted.

ARP table entries can be temporary or permanent. A temporary ARP entry has a timeout interval associated with it. The ARP entry expires at the end of the timeout interval. Expired ARP entries are referred to as stale entries. A stale entry timeout value determines how long the stale entry remains in the ARP table before it is removed.

On the S- and K-Series, use the arp command in configuration command mode to configure a permanent static ARP entry.

Use the set arp command to configure a permanent ARP entry with the option of setting the entry to temporary.

Use the show arp command to display ARP table entries.

Use the clear arp command to clear specific static or all temporary ARP entries from the ARP table.