Which component of the Ethernet frame allows for error checking?

The Frame Check Sequence (FCS) is a crucial component of the Ethernet frame used for error checking. It contains a sequence of bits that is generated based on the data from the frame through a cyclic redundancy check (CRC) algorithm. When a receiving device gets the frame, it recalculates the CRC value on the received data and compares it with the value in the FCS field.

If the values match, it indicates that the frame has likely been received without errors during transmission. If there is a difference, it signals that errors have occurred, leading the receiving device to discard the frame and potentially request retransmission, depending on the underlying protocols in use. This process helps maintain data integrity across the network.

Other components, such as the Start Frame Delimiter, Type field, and Source MAC Address, serve different functions, like indicating the start of the frame, identifying the protocol type, and specifying the sender’s MAC address, but none of them are designed for error checking like the FCS.