Electronics Engineering Department

EC573L1 Data Communications

Experiment No. 2
MAC Address and Address Resolution Protocol
I.

Objective(s):
The activity aims to have the students be able to identify the MAC address and discuss the operation
of Address Resolution Protocol (ARP).
II. Intended Learning Outcomes (ILOs):
The students shall be able to:
1. show the computers MAC address
2. explain the structure, composition and characteristics of MAC address
3. demonstrate the operation of Address Resolution Protocol in computer network
4. show and explain the contents of the Switching Table
III. Discussion:
MAC Address
MAC address is the network address used in data-link layer (layer 2) and is assigned to every
network adapter of all (layer 2) active devices in the network. It is also known as link address,
hardware or physical address. MAC address is used in data/computer network for node to node
communication.
It is composed of 48 bits and usually expressed in 12 hexadecimal digits. The 48-bit address has two
parts, the first 24 bits/6 hexadecimal digits (left side) represents the Organizational Unique Identifier
(OUI) which is the same for adapters of the same manufacturer, the second 24 bits/6 hexadecimal
digits (right side) is the manufacturers assigned and represents the serial number. Each MAC
address is unique, that is, there is no instance that two devices have the same.
MAC address is written in any of following formats:
A1:34:98:DF:5C:B7
A134.98DF.5CB7
A1-34-98-DF-5C:-B7
A1.34.98.DF.5C.B7
Address Resolution Protocol
The ARP protocol is one of the auxiliary protocols defined in the network layer. It belongs to the
network layer and it maps an IP address to a MAC address. ARP accepts an IP address from the IP
protocol, maps the address to the corresponding MAC address, and passes it to the data-link layer.
Anytime a host or a router needs to find the link-layer address of another host or router in its network,
it sends an ARP request packet. The packet includes the link-layer and IP addresses of the sender
and the IP address of the receiver. Because the sender does not know the link-layer address of the
receiver, the query is broadcast over the link using the link-layer broadcast address. Every host or
router on the network receives and processes the ARP request packet, but only the intended
recipient recognizes its IP address and sends back an ARP response packet. The response packet
contains the recipient's IP and link-layer addresses. The packet is unicast directly to the node that
sent the request packet.
The arp command is used as a tool for confirming that a computer is successfully resolving network
IP addresses to MAC addresses. The TCP/IP network protocol relies on IP addresses like
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EC573L1 Data Communications
192.168.14.211 to identify individual devices and to assist in navigating data packets between
networks. While the IP address is essential to move data from one LAN to another, it cannot deliver
the data in the destination LAN by itself. It uses the MAC address to identify local devices and deliver
all data.
ARP maintains a table in the computer of IP and MAC address combinations. In other words, it keeps
track of which MAC address is associated with an IP address. If ARP does not know the MAC
address of a local device, it issues a broadcast using the IP address. This broadcast searches for the
MAC address that corresponds to the IP address. If the IP address is active on the LAN, it will send a
reply from which ARP will extract the MAC address. ARP will then add the address combination to
the local ARP table of the requesting computer.
IV. Resources:
1. Windows OS Personal Computer (PC) preferably a Laptop w/ Network Interface Card (NIC)
2. Link-Layer Switch
3. Straight through Cable (at least one per group)
V. Procedure: After every numbered procedure, Go to the numbered Data and Results
1. Connect the PC to LAN switch with the Straight Through cable.
2. The Instructor will assign the management IP address of the LAN Switch
3. Set the following IP address accordingly in the PC
a. Group 1/PC1: IP Address 192.168.0.2, Subnet Mask 255.255.255.0
b. Group 2/PC2: IP Address 192.168.0.3, Subnet Mask 255.255.255.0
c. Group 3/PC3: IP Address 192.168.0.4, Subnet Mask 255.255.255.0
d. Group 4/PC4: IP Address 192.168.0.5, Subnet Mask 255.255.255.0
e. Group 5/PC5: IP Address 192.168.0.6, Subnet Mask 255.255.255.0
f. Group 6/PC6: IP Address 192.168.0.7, Subnet Mask 255.255.255.0
4. Open command prompt c:\> and type ipconfig <enter>. Record the result particularly the
displayed information for the NIC in use (you may take a snapshot image).
5. Type ipconfig/all <enter>. Record the result particularly the displayed information for the NIC
in use (you may take a snapshot image).
6. Type arp a IP address <enter>. Do this for each of PCs IP address including your own.
Ex.: To view the ARP record for PC2: c:\>arp a 192.168.1.2 <enter>
Record the resulting displayed information (you may take a snapshot image).
7. Type ping IP address <enter>. Do this for each of PCs IP address including your own.
Ex.: To ping PC2: c:\>ping 192.168.1.2 <enter>
A reply should be received.
8. Repeat procedure no. 6.
9. View the MAC address table of the LAN Switch (the Instructor will guide on how to view the
MAC address table of the Switch). Record the pertinent information (you may take a snapshot
image).
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Electronics Engineering Department

EC573L1 Data Communications
Course:
Name:

Experiment No.:
Section:
Date Performed:

VI. Data and Results:

1. Show the information recorded in procedure no.4.
2. Describe the gathered information/data.

Electronics Engineering Department

EC573L1 Data Communications

3. Show the information recorded in procedure no.5.

4. Describe the gathered information/data and the difference compared to procedure no. 4.

5. Show the information recorded in procedure no.6.

6. Describe the gathered information/data.

7. Show the information recorded in procedure no.8.

8. Describe the gathered information/data and the difference compared to procedure no. 6.

Electronics Engineering Department

EC573L1 Data Communications

9. Show the information recorded in procedure no.9. Describe the gathered information/data.

VII. Observation

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EC573L1 Data Communications

VIII.Conclusion

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EC573L1 Data Communications

IX. Recommendation

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EC573L1 Data Communications

X. Assessment

Electronics Engineering Department

EC573L1 Data Communications
BEGINNER
1

CRITERIA

ACCEPTABLE
2

PROFICIENT
3

SCORE

I. Laboratory Skills
Manipulative
Skills

Members do not
demonstrate needed
skills.

Experimental
Set-up

Members are unable

to set-up the
materials.

Process Skills

Members do not
demonstrate targeted
process skills.

Safety
Precautions

Members do not follow

safety precautions.

II. Work Habits

Time
Management /
Conduct of
Experiment

Members do not finish

on time with
incomplete data.

Cooperative and
Teamwork

Members do not know

their tasks and have
no defined
responsibilities.
Group conflicts have
to be settled by the
teacher.

Neatness and
Orderliness

Messy workplace
during and after the
experiment.

Ability to do
independent
work

Members require
supervision by the
teacher.

Members
occasionally
demonstrate
needed skills
Members are able
to set-up the
materials with
supervision.
Members
occasionally
demonstrate
targeted process
skills.
Members follow
safety precautions
most of the time.
Members finish on
time with
incomplete data.
Members have
defined
responsibilities
most of the time.
Group conflicts are
cooperatively
managed most of
the time.
Clean and orderly
workplace with
occasional mess
during and after the
experiment.
Members require
occasional
supervision by the
teacher.

Members always
demonstrate needed skills.
Members are able to set-up
the material with minimum
supervision.
Members always
demonstrate targeted
process skills.
Members follow safety
precautions at all times.
Members finish ahead of
time with complete data and
time to revise data.
Members are on tasks and
have defined responsibilities
at all times. Group conflicts
are cooperatively managed
at all times.
Clean and orderly
workplace at all times
during and after the
experiment.
Members do not need to be
supervised by the teacher.

Other Comments/Observations:

Total Score
Rating=

(Total Score)
100
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XI. Reference(s):
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Electronics Engineering Department

EC573L1 Data Communications
B.A. Forouzan, Data Communications and Networking, 5th Edition, McGraw Hill, 2013
http://highered.mcgraw-hill.com/sites/0073376221/student_view0/lab_assignments.html

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