?Do I have the hardware type in ar$hrd?
Yes: (almost definitely)
[optionally check the hardware length ar$hln]
?Do I speak the protocol in ar$pro?
Yes:
[optionally check the protocol length ar$pln]
Merge_flag := false
If the pair <protocol type, sender protocol address> is
already in my translation table, update the sender
hardware address field of the entry with the new
information in the packet and set Merge_flag to true.
?Am I the target protocol address?
Yes:
If Merge_flag is false, add the triplet <protocol type,
sender protocol address, sender hardware address> to
the translation table.
?Is the opcode ares_op$REQUEST? (NOW look at the opcode!!)
Yes:
Swap hardware and protocol fields, putting the local
hardware and protocol addresses in the sender fields.
Set the ar$op field to ares_op$REPLY
Send the packet to the (new) target hardware address on
the same hardware on which the request was received.