Which protocol is responsible for discovering devices on a local network?

The Address Resolution Protocol (ARP) is responsible for discovering devices on a local network by translating IP addresses into MAC (Media Access Control) addresses. When a device wants to communicate with another device on the same local network, it needs to know the MAC address corresponding to the IP address of the destination device. ARP enables this by sending out a broadcast message on the local network, asking which device has a specific IP address. The device with that IP address responds with its MAC address, allowing the requesting device to establish communication.

This protocol is fundamental in IPv4 networking, as it ensures that devices can locate each other at the data link layer, facilitating effective data transmission across the local subnet.

Other protocols mentioned play different roles in network functionality: DHCP is used for assigning IP addresses dynamically to devices on a network, SNMP is designed for managing devices on IP networks, and NTP is concerned with clock synchronization across devices in a network. None of these protocols are specifically used for discovering devices like ARP.