Neighbor Discovery Protocol (NDP, ND) is a protocol in the set of Internet protocols used with Internet Protocol Version 6 (IPv6).
IPv6 Neighbor Discovery Protocol (NDP) performs functions similar to those provided in the IPv4 address resolution protocol (ARP). NDP also supports the concept of proxy, when a node has an adjacent device capable of forwarding packets on behalf of the node.
Neighbor Discovery Protocol is used in conjunction with the latest version of Internet Protocol (IPv6). Its main function is to analyze IPv6 addresses in valid MAC addresses and the primary hardware address of the devices involved. In IPv4, this function uses the ARP (Address Resolution Protocol). All selected addresses are stored as information in the adjacent cache. This buffer not only communicates local addresses of nearby customers to network users, but provides them with additional information, for example, to check availability.
As mentioned above, NDP is also involved in customizing the standard portal. With the addition of the Router Advertising Protocol (RA), it is possible to specify both the standard router and the valid network prefixes: two key parameters for network configuration. Finally, the network protocol, which only exchanges data within a network, acts as a support protocol for dynamic address configuration. This process is also known as "automatic stateless address configuration" (SLAAC).
IPv6 Neighbor Discovery Protocol (NDP) performs functions similar to those provided in the IPv4 address resolution protocol (ARP). NDP also supports the concept of proxy, when a node has an adjacent device capable of forwarding packets on behalf of the node.