Which type of cabling is preferred for high-speed data transmission in data centers?

Fiber optic cabling is preferred for high-speed data transmission in data centers due to its ability to provide significantly higher bandwidth compared to other types of cabling. Fiber optics transmit data using light, which allows for faster data transfer speeds and greater distances without experiencing signal degradation. This technology supports the high throughput demands of modern data centers, including applications that involve large data transfers, cloud computing, and virtualization.

Additionally, fiber optic cabling is less susceptible to electromagnetic interference, which is critical in environments where many electronic devices are operating simultaneously. This reliability ensures consistent performance and enhances the network's overall efficiency.

In contrast, coaxial cabling, while historically used for various data transmission applications, does not offer the same level of performance as fiber optics in terms of speed and distance. Twisted pair cabling, which is commonly used for local area networks (LANs), also has limitations in bandwidth compared to fiber optics, especially at greater distances. USB cabling is designed for short-range data transfer between devices and is not suitable for the high-demand, long-distance connections needed within data center infrastructures. Thus, fiber optic cabling is the preferred choice for achieving optimal performance in high-speed data transmission scenarios.