How do you convert a multicast IP address to a MAC address?

To convert a multicast IP address to a MAC address, the process primarily involves using the last 23 bits of the multicast IP address. A multicast IP address typically falls within the range of 224.0.0.0 to 239.255.255.255, and the conversion to a MAC address utilizes certain bits of the IP address according to well-defined rules.

In this process, the first 24 bits of the MAC address are fixed to the value of 01:00:5E, which signifies that it is a multicast MAC address. The remaining 23 bits of the multicast MAC address are derived from the last 23 bits of the multicast IP address. This means that the conversion utilizes just the last 23 bits of the IP address, converting them into binary and appending them to the fixed prefix.

Therefore, option B accurately describes the method for converting a multicast IP address to a MAC address, as it highlights the importance of the last 23 bits in the conversion process, which is crucial in configuring networking devices to properly handle multicast traffic.