ARP ping

Use the ARP ping (ARPING) function, also known as Send ARP Request (SNDARPRQS), to test reachability of IP version 4 (IPv4) systems on the local LAN by using the Address Resolution Protocol (ARP).

The ARPING function sends a broadcast ARP request on a LAN to solicit a reply from the host that uses the specified IP address. If that host receives the ARP request, it sends a reply with its link-layer (or MAC) address. This reply verifies that the IP address is active and reachable on the LAN link. ARPING can test reachability only to systems on directly connected LAN links.

For example, if your system has an IP interface that is defined on line ETHLINE, to test whether a system with IP address 10.5.5.1 is reachable on the ETHLINE LAN, type ARPING ’10.5.5.1’ LIND(ETHLINE) at the command line. The remote system to test must be specified by its IP address.

A successful ARP ping operation reports the MAC address of the remote host and indicates that that IP address is active and reachable on the local network. An unsuccessful ARP ping operation indicates that the IP address is not reachable or not active on the local network.