Inverse Address Resolution Protocol

networking, protocol (InARP) Additions to ARP typically

used for Frame Relay. [Any other examples of its use?]

Frame Relay stations route frames of a higher level

protocol between LANs, across a Permanent Virtual Circuit.

These stations are identified by their Data Link ControlIdentifier (DLCI), equivalent to an Ethernet address in a

LAN itself.

InARP allows a station to determine a protocol address (e.g.

IP address) from a DLCI. This is useful if a new virtualcircuit becomes available. Signalling messages announce its

DLCI, but without the corresponding protocol address it is

unusable: no frames can be routed to it.

Reverse ARP (RARP) performs a similar task on an Ethernet

LAN, however RARP answers the question "What is my IP

Address?" whereas InARP answers the question "What is your

protocol address?".

See RFC 2390.

(2000-01-15)