This read-write enumerated integer selects whether the bridge translates AppleTalk ARP Token Ring packets into plain Ethernet or IEEE 802.3 SNAP framing on the CSMA/CD side, overridden by the learned format when auto mode is enabled and the format is known. An administrator sets this as the default translation for AppleTalk ARP traffic before the bridge has learned specific host formats. For example, on a network still running legacy AppleTalk devices expecting classic Ethernet framing, the admin sets this object to ethernet(1) to avoid breaking AppleTalk address resolution during translation.