Source : Free On-Line Dictionary of Computing

Reverse Address Resolution Protocol
     
         (RARP) A {protocol} defined in {RFC
        903} which provides the reverse function of {ARP}.  RARP maps
        a hardware address ({MAC address}) to an {Internet address}.
        It is used primarily by {diskless nodes}, when they first
        initialise, to find their {Internet address}.
     
        See also {BOOTP}.
     
        (1994-12-08)