What is the maximum number of ARP entries allowed on a MikroTik RouterOS device?

The maximum number of ARP entries allowed on a MikroTik RouterOS device is 8192. This limit is significant for network performance and routing functionalities.

Having a defined upper limit on ARP (Address Resolution Protocol) entries ensures that the router maintains efficient memory usage and processing capabilities. When ARP entries are cached, they allow devices to resolve IP addresses into MAC addresses more quickly, facilitating communication on the local network.

The design choice to have a maximum number of entries helps to prevent excessive memory consumption that could occur if the number of ARP entries were unlimited. In scenarios where devices frequently join and leave the network, or in larger networks with many devices, this restraint ensures that the router does not become overwhelmed by a flood of ARP requests and replies, which could degrade performance.

This value of 8192 represents a balance between providing sufficient entry space for most network configurations while still preserving system resources and stability.