What does a Static ARP entry do?

• A. Maps an IP address to a MAC address manually
• B. Maps a MAC address to an IP address automatically
• C. Clears ARP cache on change
• D. Updates DNS records

Answer: (A)

Static ARP entries fix a relationship between an IP address and a MAC address. On a LAN, devices use ARP to learn which MAC belongs to a given IP so frames can be delivered correctly. Normally these mappings are learned dynamically and can change over time. A static ARP entry manually defines that a specific IP must resolve to a specific MAC, and this mapping stays constant, not subject to dynamic updates or aging. This ensures traffic to that IP always uses the intended device’s hardware address, which can help with stability and security for critical systems. The other ideas describe automatic dynamic mappings, cache maintenance, or DNS, which are not what a static ARP entry does.