What is the minimum size of an Ethernet payload?

The minimum size of an Ethernet payload is 46 bytes. This requirement comes from the Ethernet frame structure, which specifies that the minimum frame size must be at least 64 bytes when including the Ethernet header (which is 14 bytes) and the Frame Check Sequence (FCS), which is 4 bytes.

Subtracting the header and FCS from the total minimum size gives us the calculation:

Minimum Frame Size (64 bytes) - Ethernet Header (14 bytes) - FCS (4 bytes) = Minimum Payload Size (46 bytes).

If the data being sent is less than 46 bytes, padding is added to meet this minimum requirement. This padding is typically added to ensure that the frame is large enough to be processed by network devices, as Ethernet operates on a principle where shorter frames may not be handled correctly. Thus, the correct answer reflects the minimum Ethernet payload size standard that must be adhered to for proper network communication.