ARP caching on the access point reduces the traffic on your wireless LAN by stopping ARP requests for client devices at the access point. Instead of forwarding ARP requests to client devices, the access point responds to requests on behalf of associated client devices.

When ARP caching is disabled, the access point forwards all ARP requests through the radio port to associated clients, and the client to which the ARP request is directed responds. When ARP caching is enabled, the access point responds to ARP requests for associated clients and does not forward requests to clients. When the access point receives an ARP request for an IP address not in the cache, the access point drops the request and does not forward it.

Client ARP Caching

Click the appropriate radio button to enable or disable client ARP caching.

Forward ARP Requests to Radio Interfaces When Not All Client IP Addresses Are Known

When a non-Cisco client device is associated to an access point and is not passing data, the access point might not know the client's IP address. If this situation occurs frequently on your wireless LAN, you can enable this check box. In this case, the access point responds on behalf of clients with IP addresses known to the access point but forwards out its radio port any ARP requests addressed to unknown clients. When the access point learns the IP addresses for all associated clients, it drops ARP requests not directed to its associated clients.