What is a common benefit of using Fast Ethernet (802.3u)?

Fast Ethernet (802.3u) is a significant enhancement to the traditional Ethernet technology, primarily because it supports data transfer rates of up to 100 Mbps. This increased speed is a major advantage as it allows for faster data transmission, which is essential for network-intensive applications and improves overall network performance.

As organizations require more bandwidth to support various applications, such as video streaming, large file transfers, and real-time communications, the ability to achieve higher data rates becomes crucial. Fast Ethernet meets these demands effectively, making it a popular choice for network infrastructure.

Options like support for wireless connections or a claim that it only accommodates speeds of 10 Mbps are not relevant to Fast Ethernet. Similarly, while reducing overall network size may be a benefit of more efficient network designs, it does not directly relate to the primary advantage of Fast Ethernet. The core benefit emphasizes its capability to boost the data transfer rate significantly, which is precisely why the correct answer stands out.