Which two fields does Ethernet examine to determine if a received frame is passed to the data link layer or discarded?

The correct choice focuses on the minimum frame size and frame check sequence as the essential criteria Ethernet uses to determine the validity of a received frame.

In Ethernet networking, frames are structured with specific standards that dictate their format. The minimum frame size is crucial because it ensures that the frame is large enough to contain the necessary header and payload information, preventing the reception of potentially malformed or truncated frames. If a frame is smaller than this minimum size, it is likely an error or collision fragment rather than valid data, leading to its discard.

The frame check sequence (FCS) is a critical error-checking component at the end of the Ethernet frame. It allows the receiving device to verify the integrity of the data by performing a cyclic redundancy check (CRC). If the FCS value does not match the computed one upon receipt of the frame, it indicates that the data may be corrupted during transmission. In this case, the frame would also be discarded.

Together, these two fields are essential for correctly processing frames in Ethernet communications. A frame must meet the minimum size requirement and have a valid FCS to be passed to the data link layer for further processing; otherwise, it is discarded.