Arp packets illegal?

[David]

I am getting a lot of 'illegal length' packets counted on my network
equipment. When I did a packet capture (ethereal) I found that the ARP
packets being sent by the XP box were only 42 bytes in length (Packets
sent from cisco kit were captured at 60 bytes). The minimum ethernet
packet size is 64 bytes - I'll accept the 4 bytes difference on the
cisco's as being preamble or similar not being captured but 42 bytes is
a bit too short!!

The packet data stops immediately after the ARP data with no padding at
all, I know MS got some flak over using random memory data to pad
(rather than 0's or abcdefghijk etc) but it seems that the fix has
removed the padding entirely!!

This is XP pro with SP2 & set to auto update so should be on latest
versions.

I have verified it on other boxes as well.

Any comments?

 

[Guest]

I am getting a lot of 'illegal length' packets counted on my network
equipment. When I did a packet capture (ethereal) I found that the ARP
packets being sent by the XP box were only 42 bytes in length (Packets
sent from cisco kit were captured at 60 bytes). The minimum ethernet
packet size is 64 bytes - I'll accept the 4 bytes difference on the
cisco's as being preamble or similar not being captured but 42 bytes is
a bit too short!!
all, I know MS got some flak over using random memory data to pad
(rather than 0's or abcdefghijk etc) but it seems that the fix has
removed the padding entirely!!

hmm only thing i can think of r hubs and electircal inteference, also if u
have an old dodgy network card in 1 of em, try movin ur cables away from
electrical cables n machinery, though u sound like u'd already know 2 do
that, also we talkin wireless or cabled? if its wireless try moving the
base station round, other than that ur gonna have 2 live with it, if it's
cabled, u might have a dodgy network card in 1 of ur computers thats slowly
dying meaning its sending incomprensible crap down the network, also if u
have a hub, u might b gettin a lot of collisions, go out and by urself a
switch, there only bout $30 and will do alot betta than a hub, other than
that no idea

 

[David]

Hmmm - no answer, not even a "that's all wrong..."

Wrong group?
Too difficult?