What cable allows you to physically connect to the network?

Ethernet cables are designed specifically for networking and are the most commonly used type of cables for connecting devices to a local area network (LAN). They enable the transmission of data between devices, such as computers and routers, allowing them to communicate and share resources effectively.

Ethernet cables come in various categories, such as Cat5e, Cat6, and Cat6a, which differ in terms of speed and distance capabilities. Due to their electrical characteristics, these cables can handle high data transfer speeds and are able to provide a reliable and stable connection, making them a preferred choice for wired network setups.

While coaxial cables are used in specific situations, such as cable television and broadband internet, and fiber optic cables offer high-speed connections over long distances, the most ubiquitous and practical choice for direct device-to-device connections in a typical LAN environment is the Ethernet cable. Telephone cables primarily facilitate voice communication and are not used for high-speed data networking in the same way Ethernet cables are.