A bounded medium carries signals through a defined physical pathway, such as a cable. Copper and fiber-optic Ethernet cables are bounded media: the cable confines the signal and provides a controlled route for transmission. section 18.1.1 section 18.5
Confining the signal provides practical networking advantages:
- Improves privacy because the signal is primarily received by the device at the other end of the cable. section 18.1.1
- Improves signal consistency because the signal is less exposed to interference. section 18.1.1
- Contrasts with an unbounded medium, where wireless signals radiate through open space and devices within range can receive them. section 18.1.1
