If the Ethernet frame shows Ethertype 0x86dd, which protocol is being carried?

If the Ethernet frame shows Ethertype 0x86dd, which protocol is being carried?

• A. IPv6
• B. IPv4
• C. ARP
• D. MPLS

Answer: (A)

The Ethertype in an Ethernet frame tells you what protocol is carried in the payload. A value of 0x86dd is the dedicated Ethertype for IPv6, so the bytes that follow form an IPv6 packet (starting with the IPv6 header). If it were IPv4, you’d see 0x0800; ARP uses 0x0806; MPLS unicast uses 0x8847. So the frame is carrying IPv6.

The Ethertype in an Ethernet frame tells you what protocol is carried in the payload. A value of 0x86dd is the dedicated Ethertype for IPv6, so the bytes that follow form an IPv6 packet (starting with the IPv6 header). If it were IPv4, you’d see 0x0800; ARP uses 0x0806; MPLS unicast uses 0x8847. So the frame is carrying IPv6.