In computer networking, the term Ethernet frame refers to the contents of a single packet of data transmitted over an Ethernet connection.

Contents of an Ethernet frame

  • The preamble (a seven byte identifying pattern that devices on the network use to detect incoming frames).
  • A start frame delimiter, also known as an SFD (a one byte value marking the end of the preamble).
  • Both the source and a destination MAC address.
  • The EtherType field (a two byte value representing either the length of the frame or the specific protocol type).
  • The payload, which contains the actual data being transmitted.
  • The frame check sequence, also known as an FCS (a four byte redundancy check used to ensure the frame data was not corrupted during transfer).

Data, Network terms

  • Network and network card help and support.