What part of an Ethernet frame is used for error checking in the store-and-forward switching method?

In the store-and-forward switching method, the part of an Ethernet frame that is utilized for error checking is the CRC in the trailer. The CRC, or Cyclic Redundancy Check, is a specific error-detecting code added at the end of the frame. This allows the switch to perform a calculation on the received data to verify its integrity.

When a switch receives an Ethernet frame using store-and-forward switching, it collects the entire frame and then checks the CRC value against a computed value derived from the received data. If the values match, it indicates that the frame is likely to be error-free, allowing the switch to forward it to the next destination. If there is a mismatch, the frame is discarded, ensuring that only error-free data is transmitted through the network.

Using the CRC for error checking is crucial in maintaining data integrity during transmission, making it an essential component in the process of how switches handle Ethernet frames.