What connection method provides the highest data transfer rate?

The cable modem connection method provides the highest data transfer rate among the options listed. This technology utilizes the same coaxial cables that deliver cable television to transmit data, allowing for significantly higher bandwidth and faster internet speeds. Typically, cable modems can offer download speeds ranging from tens of megabits per second to over a gigabit per second, depending on the service provider and the plan selected.

In contrast, the other options typically have lower maximum speeds. Dial-up modems are limited to much slower speeds, commonly around 56 kbps, making them unsuitable for modern internet activity. ISDN (Integrated Services Digital Network) offers better performance than dial-up but usually tops out at about 128 kbps for the most common setup. DSL (Digital Subscriber Line) provides higher speeds than dial-up and ISDN, often ranging from hundreds of kilobits to several megabits per second, but still does not match the capabilities of a cable modem. Thus, the cable modem stands out as the option with the highest potential data transfer rate.