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Quizzes > Computers & Technology > Computers & IT

How Well Do You Know MAC & Ethernet?

Think you can ace it? Choose the two characteristics that define Ethernet and prove your MAC quiz mastery!

Difficulty: Moderate
2-5mins
Learning OutcomesCheat Sheet
Paper art style illustration of network connectors and circuit motifs on teal background for MAC and Ethernet quiz

This quiz helps you identify which two characteristics describe Ethernet and build your MAC addressing skills. Work through quick questions on frames, speeds, and collisions, with a nod to Ethernet flow control , and spot gaps before an exam, interview, or lab as you go.

What is the default maximum transmission unit (MTU) size for standard Ethernet frames?
1600 bytes
1492 bytes
9000 bytes
1500 bytes
The standard Ethernet MTU is defined as 1500 bytes, which is the payload size excluding headers and trailers. Jumbo frames up to 9000 bytes are optional extensions supported by some equipment. Using the default MTU ensures compatibility across most network devices.
Ethernet primarily operates at which layer of the OSI model?
Physical layer
Data Link layer
Transport layer
Network layer
Ethernet is defined as a Data Link layer protocol (Layer 2), responsible for MAC addressing and frame encapsulation. It also has a physical signaling component but is primarily categorized at Layer 2. Understanding this layer helps with network design and troubleshooting.
Which media access control method does traditional Ethernet use?
CSMA/CD
CSMA/CA
FDMA
TDMA
Traditional shared-medium Ethernet uses Carrier Sense Multiple Access with Collision Detection (CSMA/CD) to detect and recover from frame collisions. Modern switched Ethernet eliminates collisions, but the CSMA/CD concept was foundational.
What does "MAC" in MAC address stand for?
Media Allocation Code
Main Access Code
Multiple Access Control
Media Access Control
MAC stands for Media Access Control, which is part of the Data Link layer responsible for uniquely identifying network interfaces. Every network device has a MAC address burned into its NIC.
How many bits are contained in a standard Ethernet MAC address?
32 bits
48 bits
128 bits
64 bits
A MAC address is 48 bits in length, typically represented as six groups of two hexadecimal digits. This provides a large address space for vendor-unique identifiers and device addressing.
Which cable type is most commonly used for 100BASE-TX Ethernet?
Shielded twisted pair
Coaxial cable
Fiber optic cable
Unshielded twisted pair
100BASE-TX runs over two pairs of Category 5 (or better) Unshielded Twisted Pair (UTP) cables. While shielded twisted pair also works, the unshielded variety is most common in typical LAN environments.
In an Ethernet frame, which field identifies the protocol type of the payload?
Frame Check Sequence
Source MAC address
Type/Length field
Destination MAC address
The Type/Length field (EtherType) indicates which network layer protocol (e.g., IPv4, IPv6) is encapsulated. If the value is less than 1536, it specifies length instead.
What is the primary purpose of the Frame Check Sequence (FCS) in Ethernet?
Error detection
Speed negotiation
Address mapping
Flow control
The FCS uses a CRC algorithm to detect errors in the frame data. If the CRC check fails, the frame is discarded to prevent corrupted data from being processed.
In half-duplex Ethernet, what occurs when two stations transmit simultaneously?
Collisions are detected
One station automatically gains priority
Frames are queued for retransmission
The network switches to full-duplex
Half-duplex Ethernet uses CSMA/CD; when two devices transmit at once, a collision occurs, detected by the NICs, and both stations back off before retrying.
What is the purpose of the 7-octet preamble in an Ethernet frame header?
Clock synchronization
VLAN tagging
Payload length indication
Error checking
The preamble and start frame delimiter allow receivers to synchronize their internal clock to the incoming bit stream before actual frame data arrives.
Which MAC address prefix indicates a multicast frame in Ethernet?
01-00-5E-00-00-00
02-00-00-00-00-00
00-1A-2B-3C-4D-5E
FF-FF-FF-FF-FF-FF
IPv4 multicast addresses are mapped to the MAC address range 01-00-5E-00-00-00 to 01-00-5E-7F-FF-FF. The first octet's least significant bit set to 1 indicates multicast.
Which IEEE standard specifies 10GBASE-T operation?
802.3an
802.3az
802.3ae
802.3ab
IEEE 802.3an-2006 defines 10 Gigabit Ethernet over twisted-pair copper (10GBASE-T). Other standards cover fiber and lower speeds.
How many collision domains are created when using an Ethernet hub with 8 ports?
Two
Eight
Zero
One
An Ethernet hub acts as a physical repeater, putting all connected ports into a single collision domain. Any simultaneous transmissions will collide.
What is a key difference between full-duplex and half-duplex Ethernet?
Full-duplex uses CSMA/CD
Half-duplex allows simultaneous send and receive
Full-duplex eliminates collisions
Half-duplex provides higher throughput
Full-duplex operation uses separate transmit and receive pairs, eliminating collisions and the need for CSMA/CD. Half-duplex shares a medium and relies on collision detection.
What is the maximum segment length for 100BASE-TX copper cabling?
500 meters
2 kilometers
100 meters
10 meters
IEEE 802.3 specifies a maximum segment length of 100 meters for 100BASE-TX over twisted-pair copper, including up to 90 meters of solid horizontal cabling and 5 meters of patch cord at each end.
Which feature of modern Ethernet switches renders CSMA/CD unnecessary?
Dedicated collision domains per port
Shared bus architecture
Virtual LAN tagging
Store-and-forward buffering
Each switch port creates its own collision domain, so devices connected to different ports never collide. This design obviates the need for CSMA/CD in switched networks.
How is the Organizationally Unique Identifier (OUI) represented in a MAC address?
First 24 bits
Not included
Last 24 bits
Middle 16 bits
The first 24 bits (three octets) of a MAC address form the OUI, assigned by IEEE to identify the device vendor. The remaining bits identify the specific interface.
How is a VLAN ID carried within an Ethernet frame?
As an MPLS label
Through the ARP protocol
In the 802.1Q tag
Via the LLC header
VLAN tagging inserts an IEEE 802.1Q header between the source MAC and EtherType fields, carrying a 12-bit VLAN ID for segregating traffic.
What does the Drop Eligible Indicator (DEI) bit in an 802.1Q tag signify?
Frame priority level
VLAN membership
Error detection function
Congestion drop eligibility
The DEI bit (formerly CFI) indicates that a frame is eligible to be dropped during congestion, helping with QoS policies. It does not define VLAN membership or priority by itself.
During Ethernet Auto-Negotiation, which mechanism advertises link capabilities between devices?
Beacon signals
Fast Link Pulses
Pause frames
Link Code Word (FLP bursts)
Auto-Negotiation uses Fast Link Pulses encoded as Link Code Words (FLP bursts) to exchange information about supported speeds and duplex modes. Standard normal link pulses do not carry this data.
What advantage does cut-through switching offer over store-and-forward?
Lower forwarding latency
Enhanced error checking
Automatic VLAN assignment
Simplified hardware
Cut-through switches begin forwarding as soon as the destination MAC is read, reducing latency compared to store-and-forward, which waits for the entire frame and CRC check. This comes at the cost of potentially forwarding corrupted frames.
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Study Outcomes

  1. Understand Ethernet Fundamentals -

    Grasp the core principles and defining characteristics of Ethernet technology to build a solid networking foundation.

  2. Identify MAC Address Roles -

    Recognize how MAC addresses function within network interface controllers and their importance in device communication.

  3. Distinguish Ethernet Protocols -

    Analyze classic Ethernet protocols, such as CSMA/CD, and differentiate their operational behaviors on a LAN.

  4. Apply Characteristic Selection -

    Choose the two accurate characteristics that describe Ethernet technology, reinforcing your decision-making skills in networking scenarios.

  5. Evaluate Networking Concepts -

    Assess and strengthen your understanding of Ethernet trivia, MAC addressing, and network interface functions through scored feedback.

Cheat Sheet

  1. CSMA/CD Media Access Control -

    Ethernet employs Carrier Sense Multiple Access with Collision Detection (CSMA/CD) to manage network traffic and avoid frame collisions on a shared medium. Think of it like polite conversation: each device listens before speaking and backs off if it detects another transmission. This core characteristic of Ethernet technology helps you decide which two characteristics describe ethernet technology choose two in quizzes.

  2. 802.3 Frame Structure -

    Every Ethernet frame follows the IEEE 802.3 standard, including a preamble, start frame delimiter, source and destination MAC addresses, Ethertype/length field, payload, and a frame check sequence (FCS). As a mnemonic, remember "Preamble Starts MAC Magic Protecting Data" to recall these six fields. Understanding this structure is vital for acing MAC and Ethernet quiz questions on frame encapsulation.

  3. Unique MAC Addressing -

    Each network interface controller (NIC) carries a globally unique 48-bit MAC address, often displayed in hexadecimal (e.g., 00:1A:2B:3C:4D:5E). This ensures frame delivery on the local network and is the basis for a network interface controller MAC address quiz question. A handy trick: group hex pairs as "00-1A-2B" to spot vendor IDs quickly.

  4. Speed and Duplex Modes -

    Ethernet technologies support speeds from 10 Mbps (10BASE-T) up to 100 Gbps (100GBASE-T), with half- and full-duplex modes determining if communication is one-way or simultaneous. Remember the formula "Throughput = Bandwidth × Efficiency" to compare real-world performance in lab setups. Knowing these parameters strengthens your grasp of ethernet technology trivia.

  5. Physical Topology Evolution -

    Originally a bus topology with coaxial cables, modern Ethernet uses star topology with twisted-pair or fiber-optic cabling to improve reliability. Picture it as upgrading a single road into a hub-and-spoke highway system to reduce traffic jams, reflecting one of the key characteristics of ethernet technology. Recognizing this shift helps when you're asked which two characteristics describe ethernet technology choose two in assessments.

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