What transmission media does Ethernet protocol utilize?

The Ethernet protocol utilizes a variety of transmission media to facilitate data communication, with coaxial cables and unshielded twisted pairs being two of the most commonly used types. Coaxial cables were used in earlier implementations of Ethernet, most notably in 10BASE2 and 10BASE5 configurations. This type of cable consists of a central conductor, insulating material, and an outer conductive shield, which helps to protect against electromagnetic interference.

Unshielded twisted pairs (UTP), on the other hand, have become the standard for modern Ethernet networks, particularly in configurations such as 10BASE-T, 100BASE-TX, and 1000BASE-T. UTP cables consist of pairs of wires that are twisted together, which helps to minimize crosstalk and interference, making them suitable for high-speed data transmission.

While optical fibers are an option for Ethernet communication, especially in high-speed or long-distance applications, they are not the exclusive medium of Ethernet. Additionally, Ethernet has also evolved to include wireless transmissions through technologies like Wi-Fi, but that doesn't define the protocol's traditional mediums. Therefore, recognizing that Ethernet supports a diverse set of media, including coaxial cables and unshielded twisted pairs, makes this choice correct.