{"id":1277,"date":"2025-08-06T17:21:52","date_gmt":"2025-08-06T17:21:52","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.zframez.com\/articles\/?p=1277"},"modified":"2025-08-06T17:21:56","modified_gmt":"2025-08-06T17:21:56","slug":"understanding-ethernet-features-devices-and-frame-format","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.zframez.com\/articles\/networking-fundamentals\/understanding-ethernet-features-devices-and-frame-format","title":{"rendered":"Understanding Ethernet: Features, Devices, and Frame Format"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

Ethernet Basics: Features, Devices, and Frame Structure<\/strong><\/h1>\n\n\n\n
Ethernet is the most widely used technology in local wired networks. Almost all the LANs we work with today use Ethernet to connect systems and devices. In this tutorial, we\u2019ll look at some important features of Ethernet, the devices used, and how the Ethernet frame is structured.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\n\n\n\n
LAN<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n
LAN<\/strong> stands for Local Area Network<\/strong>. It connects multiple devices like computers, printers, and switches within a small area such as a room, office, or lab.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\n
Devices in a LAN are usually connected using Ethernet cables or wireless.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
LANs don\u2019t need an ISP. Devices can communicate with each other directly.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
Most LANs are built using switches and Ethernet-based communication.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n
\n\n\n\n
Features of Ethernet<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n
Ethernet is the technology used to send data between devices in a LAN. It uses MAC addresses and sends data in the form of Ethernet frames. Below are some of the main characteristics.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\n\n\n\n
1. Connectionless Communication<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n
Ethernet is a connectionless protocol. It doesn\u2019t establish any connection before sending data. The sender just puts the frame on the wire. There is no handshake or session setup.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\n\n\n\n
2. Unreliable Communication<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n
Ethernet doesn\u2019t guarantee delivery. If a frame is dropped or corrupted, it is not retransmitted. There\u2019s no acknowledgment from the receiver. Reliability, if required, is handled by upper-layer protocols like TCP.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\n\n\n\n
3. Unsecured Communication<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n
Ethernet does not provide any security features. Any device on the same LAN can capture frames using tools like Wireshark. There is no encryption or authentication at the Ethernet level.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\n\n\n\n
4. Simple, Fast, and Cost-Effective<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n
Ethernet is commonly used in LANs because it\u2019s fast, cheap, and easy to implement.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\n
Supports speeds like 100 Mbps, 1 Gbps, 10 Gbps and higher.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
Works over copper or fiber cables.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
Devices support auto-negotiation and are easy to set up.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n
\n\n\n\n
Devices Used in Ethernet<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n
Ethernet Hub<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n
An Ethernet hub<\/strong> is one of the earliest devices used to connect multiple devices in a LAN. It\u2019s a simple, physical-layer device that just takes in signals and sends them out to all other connected ports.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\n
If a PC sends a frame to the hub, the hub will forward that frame to all other connected devices.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
It doesn\u2019t check or learn MAC addresses.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
It doesn\u2019t know who the actual destination is.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n
Disadvantages of using hubs:<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n
\n
Shared medium<\/strong>: All devices share the same bandwidth.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
Collision domain<\/strong>: If two devices transmit at the same time, collisions happen.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
Half duplex<\/strong>: Devices can either send or receive, not both at the same time.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
Very inefficient, especially when more devices are added.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n
That\u2019s why hubs are no longer used in modern networks.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\n\n\n\n
Ethernet Switch<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n
An Ethernet switch<\/strong> solves all the major problems of hubs and is used in almost all Ethernet LANs today.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\n
It works at Layer 2<\/strong>, meaning it can read MAC addresses inside Ethernet frames.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
When a frame arrives at a switch, it checks the source MAC address<\/strong> and remembers which device is connected to which port.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
This information is stored in a MAC address table<\/strong>.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n
When the switch knows the destination MAC address:<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\n
It sends the frame only to the correct port.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n
If the destination is unknown:<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\n
It floods the frame to all ports except the one it came from (like a hub).<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n
Advantages of switches over hubs:<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n
\n
No collisions<\/strong>: Each port is a separate collision domain.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
Full duplex<\/strong>: Devices can send and receive at the same time.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
Efficient<\/strong>: Bandwidth is not wasted on devices that are not involved in the communication.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
Supports VLANs and other advanced features.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n
\n\n\n\n
Ethernet Frame Format<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n
The Ethernet frame contains the actual data being sent across the LAN. Different versions of Ethernet have slightly different frame structures.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Let\u2019s go through the original DIX (DEC-Intel-Xerox)<\/strong> header and the updated IEEE 802.3<\/strong> version.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\n\n\n\n
Original Ethernet Header (DIX Format) <\/strong>aka \u201cEthernet II\u201d.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n
$\"Diagram$
Ethernet Frame Structure (DIX)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n
The DIX header is the most commonly used version even today. It includes:<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\n
Destination MAC Address (6 bytes)<\/strong>: The device that should receive the frame.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
Source MAC Address (6 bytes)<\/strong>: The device that sent the frame.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
Type (2 bytes)<\/strong>: Indicates the protocol in the payload. Examples:\n
\n
0x0800 \u2192 IPv4<\/li>\n\n\n\n
0x0806 \u2192 ARP<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n
This is followed by:<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\n
Payload<\/strong>: Carries data from the upper layers (IP, ARP, etc.)<\/li>\n\n\n\n
FCS (4 bytes)<\/strong>: Frame Check Sequence \u2014 used to detect errors.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n
Payload<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n
Payload contains the actual data. Minimum size is 46 bytes. Maximum is 1500 bytes.
If the data is smaller than 46 bytes, padding is added to meet the minimum.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Trailer \u2013 FCS<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n
At the end of the frame, there is a 4-byte FCS<\/strong> (Frame Check Sequence).<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\n
It stores a CRC value calculated by the sender.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
Receiver recalculates CRC and compares it with FCS.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
If it doesn\u2019t match, the frame is dropped. No retry.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n
This is how Ethernet detects errors, but it does not fix them.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\n\n\n\n
IEEE 802.3 Header Format<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n
IEEE later released an extended version that adds fields for more structured communication. The 802.3 frame includes:<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\n
Destination MAC (6 bytes)<\/strong><\/li>\n\n\n\n
Source MAC (6 bytes)<\/strong><\/li>\n\n\n\n
Length (2 bytes)<\/strong>: Size of the payload (up to 1500 bytes). This replaces the \u201cType\u201d field in DIX.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n
Then comes the IEEE 802.2 LLC (Logical Link Control)<\/strong> header:<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\n
DSAP (1 byte)<\/strong>: Destination Service Access Point \u2013 identifies the protocol layer on the receiving device.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
SSAP (1 byte)<\/strong>: Source Service Access Point \u2013 identifies the protocol layer on the sending device.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
Control (1 byte)<\/strong>: Used for flow control or sequencing.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n
For networks that want to still use protocol identification (like IP), there\u2019s an extension:<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\n
OUI (3 bytes)<\/strong>: Organizational Unique Identifier.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
Type (2 bytes)<\/strong>: Same as the DIX \u201cType\u201d field \u2013 specifies IPv4, ARP, etc.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n
This extended structure is used in environments where more layered control is needed.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\n\n\n\n
Preamble and Start Frame Delimiter<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n
Before any Ethernet frame begins, there\u2019s a preamble<\/strong> to help the receiving device sync its clock with the sender\u2019s.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\n
Preamble (7 bytes)<\/strong>: A pattern of alternating 1s and 0s (10101010\u2026)<\/li>\n\n\n\n
Start Frame Delimiter (1 byte)<\/strong>: 10101011<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n
This 8-byte sequence is sent before the actual frame<\/strong> and is not counted as part of the frame size. It\u2019s mainly for synchronization.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\n\n\n\n
Ethernet Speed and Naming Table<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n
Different Ethernet versions are named based on speed, medium, and modulation. Here\u2019s a table with common terms:<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Speed<\/strong><\/td> Standard Name<\/strong><\/td> Transmission Medium<\/strong><\/td> Notes<\/strong><\/td><\/tr><\/thead>
10 Mbps<\/td> 10BASE-T<\/td> Twisted pair (copper)<\/td> Original Ethernet over UTP<\/td><\/tr>
100 Mbps<\/td> Fast Ethernet<\/td> 100BASE-TX<\/td> Still used in older networks<\/td><\/tr>
1 Gbps<\/td> Gigabit Ethernet<\/td> 1000BASE-T<\/td> Common in today\u2019s LANs<\/td><\/tr>
10 Gbps<\/td> 10-Gigabit Ethernet<\/td> 10GBASE-T \/ 10GBASE-SR<\/td> Data centers, high-speed links<\/td><\/tr>
40 Gbps<\/td> 40-Gigabit Ethernet<\/td> 40GBASE-SR4<\/td> Short-range fiber links<\/td><\/tr>
100 Gbps<\/td> 100-Gigabit Ethernet<\/td> 100GBASE-LR4, etc.<\/td> Backbone links, providers<\/td><\/tr><\/tbody><\/table><\/figure>\n\n\n\n
\n
\u201cBASE\u201d \u2192 Baseband transmission<\/li>\n\n\n\n
\u201cT\u201d \u2192 Twisted pair cable<\/li>\n\n\n\n
\u201cSR\/LR\u201d \u2192 Short range \/ long range fiber<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n
\n<\/body>","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
Ethernet Basics: Features, Devices, and Frame Structure Ethernet is the most widely used technology in local wired networks. Almost all the LANs we work with today use Ethernet to connect systems and devices. In this tutorial, we\u2019ll look at some important features of Ethernet, the devices used, and how the Ethernet frame is structured. LAN […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"wp-custom-template-post-with-sidebar2","format":"standard","meta":{"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paid_content":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[330],"tags":[366,365,364,369,367,9,370,368,14,40,37,374,337,373,371],"class_list":["post-1277","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-networking-fundamentals","tag-dix-ethernet","tag-ethernet","tag-ethernet-frame","tag-ethernet-header","tag-ethernet-hub","tag-ethernet-switch","tag-fcs","tag-ieee-802-3","tag-layer-2","tag-mac-address","tag-network-devices","tag-network-fundamentals","tag-networking-basics","tag-preamble","tag-switch-vs-hub"],"yoast_head":"\nUnderstanding Ethernet: Features, Devices, and Frame Format - Tutorials<\/title>\n<meta name=\"description\" content=\"Learn how Ethernet works, its key features, how hubs and switches function, and what the Ethernet frame looks like with both original and IEEE 802.3 headers\" \/>\n<meta name=\"robots\" content=\"index, follow, max-snippet:-1, max-image-preview:large, max-video-preview:-1\" \/>\n<link rel=\"canonical\" href=\"https:\/\/www.zframez.com\/articles\/networking-fundamentals\/understanding-ethernet-features-devices-and-frame-format\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:locale\" content=\"en_US\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:type\" content=\"article\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:title\" content=\"Ethernet Explained: Features, Devices, and Frame Format\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:description\" content=\"This post breaks down the basics of Ethernet - from how hubs and switches work to how the frame is structured. Includes diagrams, header fields, and practical insights.\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:url\" content=\"https:\/\/www.zframez.com\/articles\/networking-fundamentals\/understanding-ethernet-features-devices-and-frame-format\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:site_name\" content=\"Tutorials\" \/>\n<meta property=\"article:publisher\" content=\"https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/zframez\/\" \/>\n<meta property=\"article:published_time\" content=\"2025-08-06T17:21:52+00:00\" \/>\n<meta property=\"article:modified_time\" content=\"2025-08-06T17:21:56+00:00\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:image\" content=\"https:\/\/www.zframez.com\/articles\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/08\/DIX-ethernet-header-structure.png\" \/>\n\t<meta property=\"og:image:width\" content=\"1632\" \/>\n\t<meta property=\"og:image:height\" content=\"818\" \/>\n\t<meta property=\"og:image:type\" content=\"image\/png\" \/>\n<meta name=\"author\" content=\"sajith achipra\" \/>\n<meta name=\"twitter:card\" content=\"summary_large_image\" \/>\n<meta name=\"twitter:creator\" content=\"@zframez\" \/>\n<meta name=\"twitter:site\" content=\"@zframez\" \/>\n<meta name=\"twitter:label1\" content=\"Written by\" \/>\n\t<meta name=\"twitter:data1\" content=\"sajith achipra\" \/>\n\t<meta name=\"twitter:label2\" content=\"Est. reading time\" \/>\n\t<meta name=\"twitter:data2\" content=\"6 minutes\" \/>\n<script type=\"application\/ld+json\" class=\"yoast-schema-graph\">{\"@context\":\"https:\\\/\\\/schema.org\",\"@graph\":[{\"@type\":\"Article\",\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.zframez.com\\\/articles\\\/networking-fundamentals\\\/understanding-ethernet-features-devices-and-frame-format#article\",\"isPartOf\":{\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.zframez.com\\\/articles\\\/networking-fundamentals\\\/understanding-ethernet-features-devices-and-frame-format\"},\"author\":{\"name\":\"sajith achipra\",\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.zframez.com\\\/articles\\\/#\\\/schema\\\/person\\\/8b3b88007644501771d2452d3cc80f41\"},\"headline\":\"Understanding Ethernet: Features, Devices, and Frame Format\",\"datePublished\":\"2025-08-06T17:21:52+00:00\",\"dateModified\":\"2025-08-06T17:21:56+00:00\",\"mainEntityOfPage\":{\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.zframez.com\\\/articles\\\/networking-fundamentals\\\/understanding-ethernet-features-devices-and-frame-format\"},\"wordCount\":1076,\"commentCount\":0,\"publisher\":{\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.zframez.com\\\/articles\\\/#organization\"},\"image\":{\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.zframez.com\\\/articles\\\/networking-fundamentals\\\/understanding-ethernet-features-devices-and-frame-format#primaryimage\"},\"thumbnailUrl\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.zframez.com\\\/articles\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/2025\\\/08\\\/DIX-ethernet-header-structure-1024x513.png\",\"keywords\":[\"DIX Ethernet\",\"Ethernet\",\"Ethernet frame\",\"Ethernet header\",\"Ethernet hub\",\"ethernet switch\",\"FCS\",\"IEEE 802.3\",\"layer 2\",\"mac address\",\"network devices\",\"network fundamentals\",\"networking basics\",\"preamble\",\"switch vs hub\"],\"articleSection\":[\"Networking Fundamentals\"],\"inLanguage\":\"en-US\",\"potentialAction\":[{\"@type\":\"CommentAction\",\"name\":\"Comment\",\"target\":[\"https:\\\/\\\/www.zframez.com\\\/articles\\\/networking-fundamentals\\\/understanding-ethernet-features-devices-and-frame-format#respond\"]}]},{\"@type\":\"WebPage\",\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.zframez.com\\\/articles\\\/networking-fundamentals\\\/understanding-ethernet-features-devices-and-frame-format\",\"url\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.zframez.com\\\/articles\\\/networking-fundamentals\\\/understanding-ethernet-features-devices-and-frame-format\",\"name\":\"Understanding Ethernet: Features, Devices, and Frame Format - Tutorials\",\"isPartOf\":{\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.zframez.com\\\/articles\\\/#website\"},\"primaryImageOfPage\":{\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.zframez.com\\\/articles\\\/networking-fundamentals\\\/understanding-ethernet-features-devices-and-frame-format#primaryimage\"},\"image\":{\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.zframez.com\\\/articles\\\/networking-fundamentals\\\/understanding-ethernet-features-devices-and-frame-format#primaryimage\"},\"thumbnailUrl\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.zframez.com\\\/articles\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/2025\\\/08\\\/DIX-ethernet-header-structure-1024x513.png\",\"datePublished\":\"2025-08-06T17:21:52+00:00\",\"dateModified\":\"2025-08-06T17:21:56+00:00\",\"description\":\"Learn how Ethernet works, its key features, how hubs and switches function, and what the Ethernet frame looks like with both original and IEEE 802.3 headers\",\"breadcrumb\":{\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.zframez.com\\\/articles\\\/networking-fundamentals\\\/understanding-ethernet-features-devices-and-frame-format#breadcrumb\"},\"inLanguage\":\"en-US\",\"potentialAction\":[{\"@type\":\"ReadAction\",\"target\":[\"https:\\\/\\\/www.zframez.com\\\/articles\\\/networking-fundamentals\\\/understanding-ethernet-features-devices-and-frame-format\"]}]},{\"@type\":\"ImageObject\",\"inLanguage\":\"en-US\",\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.zframez.com\\\/articles\\\/networking-fundamentals\\\/understanding-ethernet-features-devices-and-frame-format#primaryimage\",\"url\":\"https:\\\/\\\/i0.wp.com\\\/www.zframez.com\\\/articles\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/2025\\\/08\\\/DIX-ethernet-header-structure.png?fit=1632%2C818&ssl=1\",\"contentUrl\":\"https:\\\/\\\/i0.wp.com\\\/www.zframez.com\\\/articles\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/2025\\\/08\\\/DIX-ethernet-header-structure.png?fit=1632%2C818&ssl=1\",\"width\":1632,\"height\":818},{\"@type\":\"BreadcrumbList\",\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.zframez.com\\\/articles\\\/networking-fundamentals\\\/understanding-ethernet-features-devices-and-frame-format#breadcrumb\",\"itemListElement\":[{\"@type\":\"ListItem\",\"position\":1,\"name\":\"Tutorials\",\"item\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.zframez.com\\\/articles\"},{\"@type\":\"ListItem\",\"position\":2,\"name\":\"Understanding Ethernet: Features, Devices, and Frame Format\"}]},{\"@type\":\"WebSite\",\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.zframez.com\\\/articles\\\/#website\",\"url\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.zframez.com\\\/articles\\\/\",\"name\":\"zframez tutorials\",\"description\":\"Learn networking bit by bit\",\"publisher\":{\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.zframez.com\\\/articles\\\/#organization\"},\"potentialAction\":[{\"@type\":\"SearchAction\",\"target\":{\"@type\":\"EntryPoint\",\"urlTemplate\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.zframez.com\\\/articles\\\/?s={search_term_string}\"},\"query-input\":{\"@type\":\"PropertyValueSpecification\",\"valueRequired\":true,\"valueName\":\"search_term_string\"}}],\"inLanguage\":\"en-US\"},{\"@type\":\"Organization\",\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.zframez.com\\\/articles\\\/#organization\",\"name\":\"zframez technologies\",\"url\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.zframez.com\\\/articles\\\/\",\"logo\":{\"@type\":\"ImageObject\",\"inLanguage\":\"en-US\",\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.zframez.com\\\/articles\\\/#\\\/schema\\\/logo\\\/image\\\/\",\"url\":\"https:\\\/\\\/i0.wp.com\\\/www.zframez.com\\\/articles\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/2024\\\/07\\\/zframez-logo.jpg?fit=864%2C864&ssl=1\",\"contentUrl\":\"https:\\\/\\\/i0.wp.com\\\/www.zframez.com\\\/articles\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/2024\\\/07\\\/zframez-logo.jpg?fit=864%2C864&ssl=1\",\"width\":864,\"height\":864,\"caption\":\"zframez technologies\"},\"image\":{\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.zframez.com\\\/articles\\\/#\\\/schema\\\/logo\\\/image\\\/\"},\"sameAs\":[\"https:\\\/\\\/www.facebook.com\\\/zframez\\\/\",\"https:\\\/\\\/x.com\\\/zframez\",\"https:\\\/\\\/www.instagram.com\\\/zframez_technologies\\\/\"]},{\"@type\":\"Person\",\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.zframez.com\\\/articles\\\/#\\\/schema\\\/person\\\/8b3b88007644501771d2452d3cc80f41\",\"name\":\"sajith achipra\",\"image\":{\"@type\":\"ImageObject\",\"inLanguage\":\"en-US\",\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/secure.gravatar.com\\\/avatar\\\/3d9f27c5311500982b6f19d03d0506f1c328f30f51d8d5f73f46577687fd81f8?s=96&d=mm&r=g\",\"url\":\"https:\\\/\\\/secure.gravatar.com\\\/avatar\\\/3d9f27c5311500982b6f19d03d0506f1c328f30f51d8d5f73f46577687fd81f8?s=96&d=mm&r=g\",\"contentUrl\":\"https:\\\/\\\/secure.gravatar.com\\\/avatar\\\/3d9f27c5311500982b6f19d03d0506f1c328f30f51d8d5f73f46577687fd81f8?s=96&d=mm&r=g\",\"caption\":\"sajith achipra\"},\"sameAs\":[\"http:\\\/\\\/www.zframez.com\"]}]}<\/script>\n","yoast_head_json":{"title":"Understanding Ethernet: Features, Devices, and Frame Format - Tutorials","description":"Learn how Ethernet works, its key features, how hubs and switches function, and what the Ethernet frame looks like with both original and IEEE 802.3 headers","robots":{"index":"index","follow":"follow","max-snippet":"max-snippet:-1","max-image-preview":"max-image-preview:large","max-video-preview":"max-video-preview:-1"},"canonical":"https:\/\/www.zframez.com\/articles\/networking-fundamentals\/understanding-ethernet-features-devices-and-frame-format","og_locale":"en_US","og_type":"article","og_title":"Ethernet Explained: Features, Devices, and Frame Format","og_description":"This post breaks down the basics of Ethernet - from how hubs and switches work to how the frame is structured. Includes diagrams, header fields, and practical insights.","og_url":"https:\/\/www.zframez.com\/articles\/networking-fundamentals\/understanding-ethernet-features-devices-and-frame-format","og_site_name":"Tutorials","article_publisher":"https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/zframez\/","article_published_time":"2025-08-06T17:21:52+00:00","article_modified_time":"2025-08-06T17:21:56+00:00","og_image":[{"width":1632,"height":818,"url":"https:\/\/www.zframez.com\/articles\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/08\/DIX-ethernet-header-structure.png","type":"image\/png"}],"author":"sajith achipra","twitter_card":"summary_large_image","twitter_creator":"@zframez","twitter_site":"@zframez","twitter_misc":{"Written by":"sajith achipra","Est. reading time":"6 minutes"},"schema":{"@context":"https:\/\/schema.org","@graph":[{"@type":"Article","@id":"https:\/\/www.zframez.com\/articles\/networking-fundamentals\/understanding-ethernet-features-devices-and-frame-format#article","isPartOf":{"@id":"https:\/\/www.zframez.com\/articles\/networking-fundamentals\/understanding-ethernet-features-devices-and-frame-format"},"author":{"name":"sajith achipra","@id":"https:\/\/www.zframez.com\/articles\/#\/schema\/person\/8b3b88007644501771d2452d3cc80f41"},"headline":"Understanding Ethernet: Features, Devices, and Frame Format","datePublished":"2025-08-06T17:21:52+00:00","dateModified":"2025-08-06T17:21:56+00:00","mainEntityOfPage":{"@id":"https:\/\/www.zframez.com\/articles\/networking-fundamentals\/understanding-ethernet-features-devices-and-frame-format"},"wordCount":1076,"commentCount":0,"publisher":{"@id":"https:\/\/www.zframez.com\/articles\/#organization"},"image":{"@id":"https:\/\/www.zframez.com\/articles\/networking-fundamentals\/understanding-ethernet-features-devices-and-frame-format#primaryimage"},"thumbnailUrl":"https:\/\/www.zframez.com\/articles\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/08\/DIX-ethernet-header-structure-1024x513.png","keywords":["DIX Ethernet","Ethernet","Ethernet frame","Ethernet header","Ethernet hub","ethernet switch","FCS","IEEE 802.3","layer 2","mac address","network devices","network fundamentals","networking basics","preamble","switch vs hub"],"articleSection":["Networking Fundamentals"],"inLanguage":"en-US","potentialAction":[{"@type":"CommentAction","name":"Comment","target":["https:\/\/www.zframez.com\/articles\/networking-fundamentals\/understanding-ethernet-features-devices-and-frame-format#respond"]}]},{"@type":"WebPage","@id":"https:\/\/www.zframez.com\/articles\/networking-fundamentals\/understanding-ethernet-features-devices-and-frame-format","url":"https:\/\/www.zframez.com\/articles\/networking-fundamentals\/understanding-ethernet-features-devices-and-frame-format","name":"Understanding Ethernet: Features, Devices, and Frame Format - Tutorials","isPartOf":{"@id":"https:\/\/www.zframez.com\/articles\/#website"},"primaryImageOfPage":{"@id":"https:\/\/www.zframez.com\/articles\/networking-fundamentals\/understanding-ethernet-features-devices-and-frame-format#primaryimage"},"image":{"@id":"https:\/\/www.zframez.com\/articles\/networking-fundamentals\/understanding-ethernet-features-devices-and-frame-format#primaryimage"},"thumbnailUrl":"https:\/\/www.zframez.com\/articles\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/08\/DIX-ethernet-header-structure-1024x513.png","datePublished":"2025-08-06T17:21:52+00:00","dateModified":"2025-08-06T17:21:56+00:00","description":"Learn how Ethernet works, its key features, how hubs and switches function, and what the Ethernet frame looks like with both original and IEEE 802.3 headers","breadcrumb":{"@id":"https:\/\/www.zframez.com\/articles\/networking-fundamentals\/understanding-ethernet-features-devices-and-frame-format#breadcrumb"},"inLanguage":"en-US","potentialAction":[{"@type":"ReadAction","target":["https:\/\/www.zframez.com\/articles\/networking-fundamentals\/understanding-ethernet-features-devices-and-frame-format"]}]},{"@type":"ImageObject","inLanguage":"en-US","@id":"https:\/\/www.zframez.com\/articles\/networking-fundamentals\/understanding-ethernet-features-devices-and-frame-format#primaryimage","url":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.zframez.com\/articles\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/08\/DIX-ethernet-header-structure.png?fit=1632%2C818&ssl=1","contentUrl":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.zframez.com\/articles\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/08\/DIX-ethernet-header-structure.png?fit=1632%2C818&ssl=1","width":1632,"height":818},{"@type":"BreadcrumbList","@id":"https:\/\/www.zframez.com\/articles\/networking-fundamentals\/understanding-ethernet-features-devices-and-frame-format#breadcrumb","itemListElement":[{"@type":"ListItem","position":1,"name":"Tutorials","item":"https:\/\/www.zframez.com\/articles"},{"@type":"ListItem","position":2,"name":"Understanding Ethernet: Features, Devices, and Frame Format"}]},{"@type":"WebSite","@id":"https:\/\/www.zframez.com\/articles\/#website","url":"https:\/\/www.zframez.com\/articles\/","name":"zframez tutorials","description":"Learn networking bit by bit","publisher":{"@id":"https:\/\/www.zframez.com\/articles\/#organization"},"potentialAction":[{"@type":"SearchAction","target":{"@type":"EntryPoint","urlTemplate":"https:\/\/www.zframez.com\/articles\/?s={search_term_string}"},"query-input":{"@type":"PropertyValueSpecification","valueRequired":true,"valueName":"search_term_string"}}],"inLanguage":"en-US"},{"@type":"Organization","@id":"https:\/\/www.zframez.com\/articles\/#organization","name":"zframez technologies","url":"https:\/\/www.zframez.com\/articles\/","logo":{"@type":"ImageObject","inLanguage":"en-US","@id":"https:\/\/www.zframez.com\/articles\/#\/schema\/logo\/image\/","url":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.zframez.com\/articles\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/07\/zframez-logo.jpg?fit=864%2C864&ssl=1","contentUrl":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.zframez.com\/articles\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/07\/zframez-logo.jpg?fit=864%2C864&ssl=1","width":864,"height":864,"caption":"zframez technologies"},"image":{"@id":"https:\/\/www.zframez.com\/articles\/#\/schema\/logo\/image\/"},"sameAs":["https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/zframez\/","https:\/\/x.com\/zframez","https:\/\/www.instagram.com\/zframez_technologies\/"]},{"@type":"Person","@id":"https:\/\/www.zframez.com\/articles\/#\/schema\/person\/8b3b88007644501771d2452d3cc80f41","name":"sajith achipra","image":{"@type":"ImageObject","inLanguage":"en-US","@id":"https:\/\/secure.gravatar.com\/avatar\/3d9f27c5311500982b6f19d03d0506f1c328f30f51d8d5f73f46577687fd81f8?s=96&d=mm&r=g","url":"https:\/\/secure.gravatar.com\/avatar\/3d9f27c5311500982b6f19d03d0506f1c328f30f51d8d5f73f46577687fd81f8?s=96&d=mm&r=g","contentUrl":"https:\/\/secure.gravatar.com\/avatar\/3d9f27c5311500982b6f19d03d0506f1c328f30f51d8d5f73f46577687fd81f8?s=96&d=mm&r=g","caption":"sajith achipra"},"sameAs":["http:\/\/www.zframez.com"]}]}},"jetpack_featured_media_url":"","jetpack-related-posts":[{"id":11,"url":"https:\/\/www.zframez.com\/articles\/switching\/what-is-an-ethernet-switch-understanding-how-network-switches-work","url_meta":{"origin":1277,"position":0},"title":"Understanding How Ethernet Switches Work","author":"sajith achipra","date":"June 26, 2024","format":false,"excerpt":"An Overview of Mac Learning, Flooding, Collision and Broadcast Domain in Ethernet Switches This tutorial answers key interview questions about Ethernet switching to help you understand the Ethernet switch and the layer 2 frame forwarding process. You will learn how the switch works, why it is better than hubs, and\u2026","rel":"","context":"In "switching"","block_context":{"text":"switching","link":"https:\/\/www.zframez.com\/articles\/category\/switching"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.zframez.com\/articles\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/07\/how-a-switch-works.png?fit=1200%2C588&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.zframez.com\/articles\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/07\/how-a-switch-works.png?fit=1200%2C588&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.zframez.com\/articles\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/07\/how-a-switch-works.png?fit=1200%2C588&ssl=1&resize=525%2C300 1.5x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.zframez.com\/articles\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/07\/how-a-switch-works.png?fit=1200%2C588&ssl=1&resize=700%2C400 2x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.zframez.com\/articles\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/07\/how-a-switch-works.png?fit=1200%2C588&ssl=1&resize=1050%2C600 3x"},"classes":[]},{"id":17,"url":"https:\/\/www.zframez.com\/articles\/switching\/what-is-a-vlan-its-advantages-and-configuration","url_meta":{"origin":1277,"position":1},"title":"What is a VLAN: Its Advantages and Configuration","author":"sajith achipra","date":"July 4, 2024","format":false,"excerpt":"Understanding VLANs, Tagging Process, and Configuration In the last tutorial, we learned about the basics of Ethernet switches and the switching process. Now, let's try to understand VLANs, which are used to reduce unwanted traffic in Ethernet switches. We will also explore the concept of VLAN tagging using the IEEE\u2026","rel":"","context":"In "switching"","block_context":{"text":"switching","link":"https:\/\/www.zframez.com\/articles\/category\/switching"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.zframez.com\/articles\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/07\/vlan-id-in-ieee-802.1q-vlan-tag-strcuture.png?resize=350%2C200&ssl=1","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.zframez.com\/articles\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/07\/vlan-id-in-ieee-802.1q-vlan-tag-strcuture.png?resize=350%2C200&ssl=1 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.zframez.com\/articles\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/07\/vlan-id-in-ieee-802.1q-vlan-tag-strcuture.png?resize=525%2C300&ssl=1 1.5x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.zframez.com\/articles\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/07\/vlan-id-in-ieee-802.1q-vlan-tag-strcuture.png?resize=700%2C400&ssl=1 2x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.zframez.com\/articles\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/07\/vlan-id-in-ieee-802.1q-vlan-tag-strcuture.png?resize=1050%2C600&ssl=1 3x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.zframez.com\/articles\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/07\/vlan-id-in-ieee-802.1q-vlan-tag-strcuture.png?resize=1400%2C800&ssl=1 4x"},"classes":[]},{"id":1231,"url":"https:\/\/www.zframez.com\/articles\/networking-fundamentals\/networking-terminologies-a-beginners-guide-part-2","url_meta":{"origin":1277,"position":2},"title":"Networking Terminologies \u2013 A Beginner\u2019s Guide Part 2","author":"sajith achipra","date":"July 29, 2025","format":false,"excerpt":"This post continues from Part 1 and covers a few more important networking concepts. These terms often come up when learning how data moves through a network, especially when understanding how devices identify each other, how applications communicate, and how data is structured at each layer. 1. MAC Address \u2013\u2026","rel":"","context":"In "Networking Fundamentals"","block_context":{"text":"Networking Fundamentals","link":"https:\/\/www.zframez.com\/articles\/category\/networking-fundamentals"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"","width":0,"height":0},"classes":[]},{"id":1281,"url":"https:\/\/www.zframez.com\/articles\/networking-fundamentals\/understanding-address-resolution-protocol-how-arp-works","url_meta":{"origin":1277,"position":3},"title":"Understanding Address Resolution Protocol \u2013 How ARP Works","author":"sajith achipra","date":"August 11, 2025","format":false,"excerpt":"ARP \u00a0- Address Resolution Protocol ARP is used to find the MAC address of the next device to which the packet should be sent. When a device creates a packet, in the Ethernet header we need two MAC addresses - source MAC and destination MAC.The source MAC will always be\u2026","rel":"","context":"In "Networking Fundamentals"","block_context":{"text":"Networking Fundamentals","link":"https:\/\/www.zframez.com\/articles\/category\/networking-fundamentals"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.zframez.com\/articles\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/08\/Screenshot-2025-08-11-220219.png?resize=350%2C200&ssl=1","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.zframez.com\/articles\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/08\/Screenshot-2025-08-11-220219.png?resize=350%2C200&ssl=1 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.zframez.com\/articles\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/08\/Screenshot-2025-08-11-220219.png?resize=525%2C300&ssl=1 1.5x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.zframez.com\/articles\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/08\/Screenshot-2025-08-11-220219.png?resize=700%2C400&ssl=1 2x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.zframez.com\/articles\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/08\/Screenshot-2025-08-11-220219.png?resize=1050%2C600&ssl=1 3x"},"classes":[]},{"id":45,"url":"https:\/\/www.zframez.com\/articles\/switching\/inter-vlan-communication-using-router-on-a-stick","url_meta":{"origin":1277,"position":4},"title":"Configuring Router on a Stick for Inter-VLAN Communication","author":"sajith achipra","date":"July 5, 2024","format":false,"excerpt":"Table of Contents Inter-VLAN Communication Inter-VLAN Communication Methods What is Router on a Stick? Understanding the Router on a Stick Topology Frame Flow in Router on a Stick Topology Cisco Router on a Stick Configuration Inter-VLAN Communication In the previous chapters, we discussed VLANs and VLAN configuration. You understand that\u2026","rel":"","context":"In "switching"","block_context":{"text":"switching","link":"https:\/\/www.zframez.com\/articles\/category\/switching"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.zframez.com\/articles\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/07\/Router-on-a-stick-topology-1.png?fit=1200%2C705&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.zframez.com\/articles\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/07\/Router-on-a-stick-topology-1.png?fit=1200%2C705&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.zframez.com\/articles\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/07\/Router-on-a-stick-topology-1.png?fit=1200%2C705&ssl=1&resize=525%2C300 1.5x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.zframez.com\/articles\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/07\/Router-on-a-stick-topology-1.png?fit=1200%2C705&ssl=1&resize=700%2C400 2x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.zframez.com\/articles\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/07\/Router-on-a-stick-topology-1.png?fit=1200%2C705&ssl=1&resize=1050%2C600 3x"},"classes":[]},{"id":1221,"url":"https:\/\/www.zframez.com\/articles\/networking-fundamentals\/networking-terminologies-a-beginners-guide-part-1","url_meta":{"origin":1277,"position":5},"title":"Networking Terminologies \u2013 A Beginner\u2019s Guide Part 1","author":"sajith achipra","date":"July 29, 2025","format":false,"excerpt":"Understanding how computer networks work starts with learning a few essential terms. This post introduces some of the core networking concepts in a simple and practical way. If you're just getting started with networking or brushing up on the basics, this will give you a solid foundation to build on.\u2026","rel":"","context":"In "Networking Fundamentals"","block_context":{"text":"Networking Fundamentals","link":"https:\/\/www.zframez.com\/articles\/category\/networking-fundamentals"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.zframez.com\/articles\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/07\/OSI-vs-TCP-IP-1.png?resize=350%2C200&ssl=1","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.zframez.com\/articles\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/07\/OSI-vs-TCP-IP-1.png?resize=350%2C200&ssl=1 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.zframez.com\/articles\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/07\/OSI-vs-TCP-IP-1.png?resize=525%2C300&ssl=1 1.5x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.zframez.com\/articles\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/07\/OSI-vs-TCP-IP-1.png?resize=700%2C400&ssl=1 2x"},"classes":[]}],"jetpack_sharing_enabled":true,"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.zframez.com\/articles\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1277","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.zframez.com\/articles\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.zframez.com\/articles\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.zframez.com\/articles\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.zframez.com\/articles\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=1277"}],"version-history":[{"count":1,"href":"https:\/\/www.zframez.com\/articles\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1277\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":1279,"href":"https:\/\/www.zframez.com\/articles\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1277\/revisions\/1279"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.zframez.com\/articles\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=1277"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.zframez.com\/articles\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=1277"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.zframez.com\/articles\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=1277"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}