The MSNL master also contains a rarp server which responds to rarp requests from any of its attached MSNL interfaces. The responses which the master gives to rarp requests are described in a configuration file which is supplied to the master when it is started. Rarp requests are serviced if they are received from an Ethernet interface or if the local system is running a boot server and the request yields a response which indicates that the requester should boot from the boot server on the local system. The master will not respond to rarp requests from interfaces other than the Ethernet unless the local system will boot the requester.