Inverse Address Resolution Protocol
InARP
<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 Control
Identifier} (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 {virtual
circuit} 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)