easyMultiple Select
FC0-U71 Practice Question: Which TWO of the following are common Ethernet…
Which TWO of the following are common Ethernet cable categories used in local area networks?
⚠ Common exam trap
Candidates often confuse physical connector types or other cable standards (like USB, coaxial, HDMI) with Ethernet cable categories, leading candidates to select non-Ethernet options.
Answer choices
Why each option matters
Answer the question above first, then reveal the full breakdown to understand why each option is right or wrong.
Correct answer & explanation
✓
Cat5e
Cat5e (A) is a standard twisted-pair Ethernet cable category rated for 100 MHz and commonly used for Gigabit Ethernet (1000BASE-T) in LANs, making it a correct answer. Cat6 (D) is also a twisted-pair Ethernet cable category rated for 250 MHz, supporting Gigabit Ethernet and 10GBASE-T at limited distances, so it is likewise correct. USB (B) is a serial bus interface for connecting peripherals, not an Ethernet cable category. Coaxial (C) is a cable type historically used in older Ethernet (10BASE5/10BASE2) and for cable broadband, but it is not one of the common modern Ethernet cable categories referenced here. HDMI (E) is a digital audio/video interface for displays, unrelated to Ethernet LAN cabling.
Answer analysis
Option-by-option breakdown
For each option: why learners choose it and why it is or isn't the right answer here.
- ✓
Cat5e
Why this is correct
Cat5e supports 1 Gbps over 100 metres at 100 MHz and is a standard Ethernet category for local area networks, satisfying the question's requirement for common LAN cabling. Enhanced crosstalk specifications make it the baseline choice for gigabit desktop connections in typical office deployments.
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USB
Why it's wrong here
USB is a peripheral bus interface for connecting devices, not an Ethernet cable category such as Cat5e or Cat6. It is tempting because USB cables physically resemble network cabling and carry data, but they define device connectivity, not LAN transmission media or category performance ratings.
- ✗
Coaxial
Why it's wrong here
Coaxial cable is a distinct transmission medium used in legacy bus topologies and broadband, not an Ethernet twisted-pair category such as Cat5e, Cat6 or Cat6a. It tempts because it once carried LAN traffic, but modern Ethernet cabling questions concern unshielded or shielded twisted-pair categories.
- ✓
Cat6
Why this is correct
Cat6 is a twisted-pair Ethernet category rated for 250 MHz and 10 Gbps up to 55 metres, widely deployed in LANs. It directly satisfies the stem's requirement for a common Ethernet cable category, alongside Cat5e, and is standard for new copper cabling installations.
- ✗
HDMI
Why it's wrong here
HDMI carries digital audio and video between displays and sources, not Ethernet frames, so it is not a cable category for LAN data transmission. It tempts because it is a familiar networking-adjacent connector, but Ethernet categories are twisted-pair specifications like Cat5e and Cat6.
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JA
Written and reviewed by Johnson Ajibi, MSc IT Security
Senior Network & Security Engineer · founder of Courseiva
Last reviewed September 2026 · checked against the official CompTIA exam blueprint
This FC0-U71 practice question is part of Courseiva's free CompTIA certification practice question bank. Courseiva provides original exam-style practice questions with explanations, topic-based practice, mock exams, readiness tracking, and study analytics to help learners prepare for the FC0-U71 exam.