What is the common Ethernet frame size limit?

The standard maximum Ethernet frame size limit is 1518 bytes. This size includes the header and the frame check sequence, but does not include the physical layer overhead or the preamble. The 1518-byte limit is crucial because it ensures efficient transmission over the network and helps maintain compatibility with various networking devices and protocols.

In practice, the Ethernet frame is structured such that the maximum payload size is typically 1500 bytes. This payload can carry data from higher layers, and when combined with the overhead from headers and the trailer, it totals 1518 bytes. Understanding this limit is important for network design and troubleshooting, as exceeding this limit can lead to fragmentation or dropped packets, impacting network performance.