How copper, fiber, wireless, and short-reach links differ in distance, bandwidth, interference tolerance, mobility, and installation constraints.
Media selection balances distance, throughput, interference, mobility, existing infrastructure, and cost.
| Medium | Typical fit |
|---|---|
| Twisted-pair copper | Endpoint access and ordinary short-to-moderate cable runs |
| Fiber | High bandwidth, longer distances, building links, and EMI-prone locations |
| Wireless | Mobility and flexible coverage, subject to spectrum, placement, and interference |
| Direct attach cable (DAC) | Short high-speed links within racks |
| Coaxial | Specific legacy or service-provider environments |
Attenuation increases with distance. Electromagnetic interference can degrade copper links; fiber is generally more resistant. A high-capability medium is not automatically the right choice if it exceeds the distance, interface, or operational requirements.