Address learning by HDLC on Serial Links?

[defaultroute1]

In a ethernet framework the Address Resolution Protocol(ARP) does the address learning that is associating ip address with mac address, I studied the HDLC protocol which is used as layer 2 protocol in serial links and found that there is a 8 bit address field.

Does HDLC protocol learn the remote end HDLC address in point to point links or is it only used in point-to-multipoint scenario?

How can we see this HDLC address in cisco routers as we can see the mac address associated with ethernet by show ip arp command?

Is there mapping done with HDLC address?

[Giuseppe Larosa · Accepted solution]

Hello Talha,

the address field in the HDLC header is just a placeholder with a fixed value and no real meaning.

There are variants/derivates of HDLC like SDLC developed by IBM that are multipoint capable but HDLC is confined to point-to-point operation only.

On point to point links no mapping or resolution protocol is required.

Hope to help

Giuseppe