Which protocol maps IP network addresses to MAC addresses on a data link layer?

Which protocol maps IP network addresses to MAC addresses on a data link layer?

• A. Data Interception
• B. Address Resolution Protocol (ARP)
• C. Arpspoof
• D. VoIP Call Tapping

Answer: (B)

Mapping IP addresses to MAC addresses on a local network is done by the Address Resolution Protocol. When a host wants to send to a specific IPv4 address, it first checks its ARP cache; if the MAC address is unknown, it broadcasts an ARP request asking who has that IP. The machine with that IP replies with its MAC address, and the requester caches the mapping to speed future communication. With the MAC now known, frames can be delivered at the data link layer to the correct hardware address. This mechanism operates within the same broadcast domain (local network) and is distinct from how routers handle IP-to-MAC resolution for traffic leaving the local network. Note that IPv6 uses Neighbor Discovery instead of ARP. The other terms refer to unrelated concepts or techniques (data interception, ARP spoofing tools, or VoIP tapping) and do not describe the address mapping process.

Mapping IP addresses to MAC addresses on a local network is done by the Address Resolution Protocol. When a host wants to send to a specific IPv4 address, it first checks its ARP cache; if the MAC address is unknown, it broadcasts an ARP request asking who has that IP. The machine with that IP replies with its MAC address, and the requester caches the mapping to speed future communication. With the MAC now known, frames can be delivered at the data link layer to the correct hardware address. This mechanism operates within the same broadcast domain (local network) and is distinct from how routers handle IP-to-MAC resolution for traffic leaving the local network. Note that IPv6 uses Neighbor Discovery instead of ARP. The other terms refer to unrelated concepts or techniques (data interception, ARP spoofing tools, or VoIP tapping) and do not describe the address mapping process.