Final answer:
The maximum payload size in a conventional Ethernet frame is 1500 bytes. IEEE 802.3 standard defines a maximum frame size of 1518 bytes, including headers and checksum, and allows for 'jumbo frames' which can contain a payload of up to 9000 bytes. Jumbo frames are not universally supported and are not part of the conventional Ethernet standards.
Step-by-step explanation:
The maximum payload size in a conventional Ethernet frame is 1500 bytes. This payload is sometimes referred to as the Maximum Transmission Unit (MTU) and it represents the largest amount of data that can be carried in the frame without having to fragment it. However, this is distinct from the largest possible frame size defined by IEEE 802.3, which is 1518 bytes. This size includes the payload, the destination and source MAC addresses, the Ethernet type field, and a Frame Check Sequence (FCS) for error checking.
In the IEEE 802.3 standard, when referring to the 'jumbo frame', we find a different situation. Jumbo frames can carry a payload of up to 9000 bytes, improving efficiency by reducing the number of frames needed for large data transfers. However, these are not supported by all Ethernet equipment and are not part of the traditional Ethernet standards. It should also be noted that the introduction of Ethernet standards like IEEE 802.1Q for VLAN tagging can change the allowed payload size slightly due to additional header information.