What kind of physical network connection is most common today?



The physical network connectivity of Ethernet has changed dramatically through the years, but these days one type of connection is the clear favorite. What type of physical network connection do most Ethernet networks use today?

A) RJ-11

B) RJ-45

C) Firewire

D) BNC Coaxial


The answer: B) RJ-45

Ethernet networking has standardized on RJ-45 for copper connections, and the vast majority of connections today utilize the Registered Jack 45 standard.

The incorrect answers:

A) RJ-11
RJ-11 is a common connection, but it isn’t seen on Ethernet networks. RJ-11 is most commonly found on modular telephone connections.

C) Firewire
Firewire is a relatively new high-speed connection that carries the more standard name of IEEE 1394. Although Firewire can be used to link devices together at high speed, it’s not compatible with the Ethernet networking standard.

D) BNC Coaxial
Coaxial cable was the normal Ethernet infrastructure during the early days of networking, but it’s not been common for quite some time.

Want to know more? Watch “Network Cabling.”


The cable is the important component that links all of our networked devices together, but it’s a critical link that’s often overlooked. In this video, we’ll learn the importance of plenum-rated cable, explore the differences between copper and fiber, and examine network cabling types such as RS-232, USB, and FireWire. We’ll also examine the most common network connector types and discuss some troubleshooting methods you can use to keep your network cabling working perfectly.