Path: utzoo!utgpu!jarvis.csri.toronto.edu!mailrus!tut.cis.ohio-state.edu!ucbvax!HOGG.CC.UOREGON.EDU!jqj
From: jqj@HOGG.CC.UOREGON.EDU
Newsgroups: comp.protocols.tcp-ip
Subject: Re:  minimum length ethernet packet
Message-ID: <8905152323.AA00642@hogg.cc.uoregon.edu>
Date: 15 May 89 23:23:52 GMT
Sender: daemon@ucbvax.BERKELEY.EDU
Organization: The Internet
Lines: 11

Runt Ethernet packets are a problem for a number of Ethernet
implementations.  There is in fact a very good reason why the spec
includes a minimum length; it's needed to insure that all stations
detect a collision during packet reception.  Without it, a collision
that is noticed at one end of a cable may not be noticed at the other
end.

If DEC is in fact generating short packets, then they are in violation
of both the 802.3 and Ethernet specs.  I expect they will lose a few
major RFPs as their competitors point out that they are not meeting the
requirements.  Unless, of course "Everybody does it".