What is the Ethernet protocol number as listed?

What is the Ethernet protocol number as listed?

• A. 802.3
• B. 802.11
• C. 0x0800
• D. 0x0806

Answer: (A)

In Ethernet, the field that tells you what protocol sits above the frame is the EtherType. It’s a 16-bit value that immediately follows the source and destination MAC addresses and identifies the next protocol, such as IPv4 or ARP. For example, 0x0800 means IPv4, and 0x0806 means ARP. The numbers 0x0800 and 0x0806 are Ethertype values—the actual protocol indicators. The terms 802.3 and 802.11 refer to standards: 802.3 defines the Ethernet frame format, including how the length field is used, while 802.11 covers wireless networking. They are not protocol identifiers. So when asked for the Ethernet protocol number, you’re looking for an Ethertype value like 0x0800 or 0x0806, not the 802.x standard designation.

In Ethernet, the field that tells you what protocol sits above the frame is the EtherType. It’s a 16-bit value that immediately follows the source and destination MAC addresses and identifies the next protocol, such as IPv4 or ARP. For example, 0x0800 means IPv4, and 0x0806 means ARP. The numbers 0x0800 and 0x0806 are Ethertype values—the actual protocol indicators.

The terms 802.3 and 802.11 refer to standards: 802.3 defines the Ethernet frame format, including how the length field is used, while 802.11 covers wireless networking. They are not protocol identifiers. So when asked for the Ethernet protocol number, you’re looking for an Ethertype value like 0x0800 or 0x0806, not the 802.x standard designation.