Best cable type for 150m network closet connection?

N10-009 By islever Editorial Last updated Sep 3, 2026

Short answer

A Single-mode fiber

Question

A network administrator needs to connect two network closets that are 492ft (150m) away from each other. Which of the following cable types should the administrator install between the closets?

Single-mode fiber Correct Answer
Coaxial
DAC
STP

Key Takeaways

This question tests the 100-meter distance limitation of twisted pair copper versus the range of fiber optics, where the trap is selecting a copper cable type like STP despite the excessive length.

Single-mode fiber is the required solution for connecting network closets 150 meters apart, as copper cabling is strictly limited to 100 meters. The community consensus confirms fiber is necessary to prevent signal loss over this distance.

Common mistake: Choosing STP (Shielded Twisted Pair) is the most frequent error, as test-takers often focus on the shielding benefits while overlooking the absolute 328ft (100m) distance restriction for Ethernet over copper.

Expert Analysis

Why the Answer Is Correct

Single-mode fiber is designed for long-distance data transmission, supporting ranges up to several kilometers. At 150 meters, it provides a reliable, high-bandwidth connection without the signal degradation inherent in copper cables at this length.

Why the Other Options Are Wrong

STP (D) is incorrect because twisted pair copper has a hard limit of 100 meters (328ft) due to attenuation and delay skew. DAC (C) is meant for very short connections, typically under 7 meters inside a rack. Coaxial (B) is generally obsolete for modern Ethernet backbones and is not the standard choice for closet-to-closet uplinks.

Community Comment Notes

Comments emphasize that fiber is the standard for long-distance runs, explicitly contrasting it with DAC which is limited to short ranges (up to 7m). The community agrees that the 150-meter distance immediately rules out copper-based solutions.

Official Reference

These links open the official vendor documentation in a new tab.

Exam Strategy

Memorize the 100-meter (328ft) distance limit for twisted-pair copper cabling. If an exam question specifies a distance greater than 100 meters, you can immediately eliminate all copper options and select the fiber alternative.

Community Votes

100%

100% of anonymous learners picked answer A. Votes are pick records left by other test-takers — they are not the verified answer.

Discussion 3 contributions

Compiled from public community threads and reader submissions, lightly edited for clarity. Handles and vote tallies are shown as recorded, and comments reflect the views of individual contributors.

From public community threads 3

SuntzuLegacy 👍 3 Answered A

The correct answer is: A. Single-mode fiber Explanation: At a distance of 492 feet (150 meters), single-mode fiber is the best choice for connecting network closets. Single-mode fiber is designed for long-distance transmission and provides high bandwidth with minimal signal loss over distances far exceeding the 150 meters required in this scenario.
HeatSquad77 👍 1 Answered A

A. Single-mode fiber. Explanation: To connect two network closets that are 492 feet (150 meters) apart, the key consideration is the distance and the type of cable that can effectively handle that distance without significant signal loss or degradation
Abx_01 👍 1 Answered A

Fiber is good for long distance. Direct Attach Copper (DAC) cable is ideal for short-range connections, typically up to 7 meters.

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