What type of cable is typically used for Ethernet connections?

Unshielded twisted pair (UTP) cable is the most commonly used type of cable for Ethernet connections, particularly in local area networks (LANs). This cable type consists of pairs of wires twisted together, which helps to reduce electromagnetic interference and crosstalk from adjacent pairs and external sources. UTP cables are known for their cost-effectiveness, ease of installation, and adequate performance for various Ethernet requirements, including speeds up to 1 Gbps and beyond depending on the category of UTP used (such as Cat 5e, Cat 6, etc.).

While coaxial cable and fiber optic cable are also capable of transmitting Ethernet signals, they are not typically used for standard Ethernet connections in most LAN environments. Coaxial was more common in earlier networking standards and is less flexible for modern networking needs. Fiber optic cables are used primarily for backbone connections or long-distance links due to their high bandwidth capacity and resistance to interference, but they require different hardware interfaces.

Shielded twisted pair (STP) cables provide additional shielding compared to UTP, reducing interference even further, but they tend to be more expensive and are not as widely used for most Ethernet applications unless in environments with high electromagnetic interference. Thus, UTP cables remain the standard