When a host receives a frame addressed to its own MAC address, what is the typical action?

• A. The host processes the frame.
• B. The host forwards the frame to all other hosts.
• C. The host replies to the switch with its own IP address.
• D. The host discards the frame.

Answer: (A)

When a frame arrives with a destination MAC that matches the host’s NIC, the device accepts the frame and passes the payload up to the operating system. The NIC strips the Ethernet header and hands the data to the appropriate higher-layer protocol (for example, IP if the EtherType indicates IPv4/IPv6). The frame isn’t forwarded to other hosts—the switch already delivered it to the correct port, and the host simply processes it. Only if there were an error would the frame be discarded. So, the typical action is for the host to process the frame.