What is the maximum size of an Ethernet frame?

The maximum size of an Ethernet frame is indeed 1518 bytes. This size includes the Ethernet header and trailer. The maximum transmission unit (MTU) for conventional Ethernet frames is 1500 bytes, which refers specifically to the payload that can be carried within the frame.

When considering the entire Ethernet frame structure, the additional 18 bytes consists of the 14-byte header and the 4-byte trailer (which includes the Frame Check Sequence). Thus, when you add these components together (1500 bytes payload + 14 bytes header + 4 bytes trailer), you arrive at the total maximum size of 1518 bytes for an Ethernet frame.

Understanding this limit is crucial for network configurations, especially when dealing with Ethernet networks to avoid fragmentation and ensure data integrity. The other sizes mentioned in the options do not account for the complete structure of an Ethernet frame, which helps clarify why 1518 bytes is the correct maximum.