The IP address is a Layer 3 address. Layer 3 packets are encapsulated in Layer 2 frames, and Layer 2 also has the addressing (MAC addresses) that must be provided. ARP (Address Resolution Protocol) resolves a layer 3 IP address to a layer 2 MAC address so that a layer-3 packet can be encapsulated in a layer-2 frame, which is then sent through a layer 1 interface.
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