ARP Configuration

About this task

Address Resolution Protocol (ARP) is a protocol for mapping an IP address to a hardware MAC address recognized on the network. ARP provides protocol rules for making this correlation and providing address conversion in both directions. When an incoming packet destined for a host arrives, ARP is used to find a physical host or MAC address that matches the IP address.

ARP looks in its cache and, if it finds the address, provides it so the packet can be converted to the right packet length and format and sent to its destination. If no entry is found for the IP address, ARP broadcasts a request packet in a special format on the LAN to see if a device knows it has that IP address associated with it. A device that recognizes the IP address as its own returns a reply indicating it. ARP updates the ARP cache for future reference and then sends the packet to the MAC address that replied.

Procedure

  1. Select a profile or device from the list.
  2. Select Network > ARP.
  3. Select Add.
    The ARP Basic Configuration dashboard opens.
  4. Configure ARP settings:
    Field Description
    Virtual interface Select a virtual interface for an address requiring resolution with the controller, service platform or access point
    IP address Define the IP address used to fetch a MAC Address recognized on the wireless network
    MAC address Displays the target MAC address subject to resolution. This is the MAC used for mapping an IP address to a MAC address recognized on the network
    Type Specify the device type the ARP entry supports. The options are Dhcp server, host, and router
  5. Select Add to save changes.