What type of messaging is used for a response to ARP?

The response to Address Resolution Protocol (ARP) requests uses unicast messaging. When a device needs to resolve an IP address to a MAC address, it sends out an ARP request in a broadcast manner. However, the device that owns the IP address responds directly back to the requester using unicast. This means the reply is sent specifically to the MAC address of the device that originated the ARP request, thereby ensuring that only the requesting device receives the response. This targeted communication is essential for maintaining network efficiency and accuracy in addressing. Understanding this mechanism is crucial in environments where efficient network communication is vital, as it directly impacts data flow and resource use.