Reverse Address Resolution Protocol RARP Reverse ARP <networking, protocol> (RARP) A {protocol} defined in {RFC 903} which provides the reverse function of {ARP}. RARP maps a hardware address ({MAC address}) to an {IP address}. It is used primarily by {diskless nodes}, when they first initialise, to find their {IP address}. See also {BOOTP}. (1994-12-08)