24 November 2021

Difference between ARP and RARP

Both ARP and RARP are network-layer protocols. When a host needs to send an IP datagram to another host the sender needs both the receiver's logical and physical addresses. The dynamic mapping protocol supports two protocols called ARP and RARP.  So here this article gives the difference between ARP and RARP to better understand this topic.

What is ARP?

ARP stands for address resolution protocol, it is a protocol used at the network layer. Because ARP is a dynamic mapping protocol, Each host in the network is aware of another host's logical address. The host needs to send an IP datagram to another host. However, the IP datagram must be encapsulated in a frame in order to traverse the physical network between sender and receiver.

What is RARP?

A  network layer protocol is also known as RARP called reverse address resolution protocol. The RARP protocol is a  TCP/IP protocol that allows any host to obtain its IP address from the server. RARP is an adaptation of the ARP protocol that is simply the opposite of ARP.

Difference between ARP and RARP:

  • The full form of ARP is addressed resolution protocol whereas, while the RARP is reverse address resolution protocol.
  • ARP protocol retrieves the physical address of the receiver while the RARP protocol retrieves the logical address of the protocol.
  • ARP maps the 32-bit logical address to a 48 bit physical of the receiver, RARP maps the 48-bit physical address to the 32-bit logical address of the receiver.