Can we find IP address from MAC address?

Answered by Frank Schwing

It is indeed possible to find an IP address from a MAC address. The process involves using the Command Prompt on a Windows computer. I will guide you through the steps to do this.

1. Open the Command Prompt: To do this, press the Windows key + R on your keyboard, then type “cmd” and hit Enter. This will open the Command Prompt window.

2. Use the “arp” command: In the Command Prompt window, type “arp -a” and press Enter. The “arp” command stands for Address Resolution Protocol, and the “-a” flag displays the ARP cache on your computer.

3. View the IP addresses: After entering the “arp -a” command, you will see a list of IP addresses and their corresponding MAC addresses. The MAC addresses are listed under the “Physical Address” column, while the IP addresses are listed under the “Internet Address” column.

4. Locate the MAC address: Look for the MAC address you are interested in finding the corresponding IP address for. Each entry in the list will display the MAC address and the associated IP address.

It’s important to note that the list displayed by the “arp -a” command will show the IP addresses and MAC addresses of devices that are currently active on your network. If a device is not currently connected or has not communicated with your computer recently, it may not appear in the list.

Finding the IP address from a MAC address is useful in various scenarios. For example, if you are troubleshooting network issues, identifying unauthorized devices on your network, or trying to locate a specific device on your network, this information can be helpful.

However, it’s worth mentioning that the “arp -a” command only displays the devices that are directly connected to your computer’s network. It will not show devices that are on different subnets or connected through routers or switches.

By using the “arp -a” command in the Command Prompt, you can find the IP address associated with a MAC address on your network. This method can be handy for various purposes, but it’s important to understand its limitations and that it only works for devices directly connected to your computer’s network.