proxy arp
In the above diagram , both hosts don't have default routes. But both are in the same /16 subnet. When host1 tries to ping host2 will it be able to ping ? Yes this behaviour due to the Proxy Arp feature. Note: Cisco by default enabled the proxy arp feature you have to disable it manually . Check the following Debug messages "debug arp" from the router. When the Arp request for 192.168.20.101 received on the router Fa0/1 it replies with its own mac address of fa0/1. (c200.03fc.0001)and vice versa *Mar 1 00:11:43.071: IP ARP: rcvd req src 192.168.12.154 00aa.00f4.6800, dst 192.168.20.101 FastEthernet0/1 *Mar 1 00:11:43.075: IP ARP: sent rep src 192.168.20.101 c200.03fc.0001,dst 192.168.12.154 00aa.00f4.6800 FastEthernet0/1 *Mar 1 00:13:13.067: IP ARP: rcvd req src 192.168.20.101 00aa.0041.1d00, dst 192.168.12.154 FastEthernet0/0 *Mar 1 00:13:13.067: IP ARP: sent rep src 192.168.12.154 c200.03fc.0000, dst 192.168.20.101 00aa.0041.1d00 FastEther