Sync ARP and MAC entries

ARP entries and MAC entries are automated data. ITVA collects them live from your network devices and uses them to connect IP addresses to MAC addresses and switch ports.

How it works

1. The probe on your network connects to each router, switch, and firewall.
2. The probe reads the device's ARP table and MAC address table, and sends them to ITVA.
3. ITVA saves the entries and links them to your subnets and IP allocations.

An ARP entry connects an IP address to a MAC address. A MAC entry connects a MAC address to the switch interface that learned it. Together, they show where each IP address is connected in your network.

Each sync replaces the entries from the sync before it. If an entry is no longer on the device, ITVA removes it. So IPAM shows your network at the time of the last sync.

ARP entries are available for most router, switch, and firewall vendors. MAC entries are available for most switch vendors.

Turn on ARP and MAC sync

ITVA collects ARP and MAC entries when a device syncs. Select Interfaces, ARP Entries, and MAC Entries in a manual sync, or the matching tasks in a schedule. ITVA links each entry to an interface, so sync the interfaces too.

To keep the data current, use a schedule. ARP and MAC tables change often, so a short interval keeps IPAM closer to your live network. See Sync data from your devices and Create your first schedule.

Where to see the data

• On a subnet or an IP allocation, the ARP Entries and MAC Entries cards.
• On a device, the IP Utilization tab.
• To find the switch port for one address, go to Tools > Troubleshooting > IP & MAC Address Lookup.