When buying cables and connectors for a new server room setup with a switch, two servers, and one IP phone, which type should be purchased?

The recommended choice for purchasing cables and connectors in the setup described is straight-through Ethernet cable along with RJ-45 connectors. This type of cable is prevalent in networking scenarios, particularly for connecting devices like servers, switches, and IP phones.

Straight-through Ethernet cables are designed to connect different types of devices, such as a switch to a server or an IP phone. The RJ-45 connectors are standard for Ethernet connections, making them suitable for the data network involved in your server room setup. By using this configuration, you ensure reliable communication between the devices, supporting data transfer speeds and maintaining compatibility with the networking standards in use today.

Other choices involve cable types and connectors that are not suited for the described applications. Coaxial cable and BNC connectors are typically used for cable television and certain specialized networking applications but are not ideal for connecting modern servers or switches. Silver satin and RJ-11 connectors are primarily associated with telephone systems, which do not apply to Ethernet networking needs. Crossover Ethernet cables are used for connecting similar devices directly, such as two computers or two switches, which does not fit the requirement in the given scenario.