arping

Additional Notes

arping tests local-link reachability with ARP packets. Unlike ping, it does not need IP-layer replies from a remote network; it checks whether a host responds to ARP on the same broadcast domain.

Use it to detect duplicate IPs, confirm local neighbor reachability, or troubleshoot address resolution.

Syntax

arping [options] host

Parameters

• host: IPv4 address or hostname to probe on the local network.
• interface: Network interface to send from when selected with -I.
• options: Count, interface, duplicate-address, and output controls.

Common Options

• -I IFACE: Send from a specific interface.
• -c COUNT: Stop after COUNT replies or probes.
• -D: Duplicate address detection mode.
• -q: Quiet output.
• -w SECONDS: Stop after a deadline.

Examples

arping -c 3 192.168.1.1

Send three ARP probes to a gateway.

sudo arping -I eth0 -c 4 192.168.1.50

Probe from a specific interface.

sudo arping -D -I eth0 192.168.1.50

Check whether an address appears to be in use.

Practical Notes

• ARP works only on the local network segment.
• Some uses require root because raw packets are involved.
• A successful ARP response does not prove higher-level services are available.