An Ethernet link is disclosed. The link includes a first Ethernet transceiver and a second Ethernet transceiver configured as a link partner to the first Ethernet transceiver. A shielded twisted quad (STQ) cable is interposed between the first Ethernet transceiver and the second Ethernet transceiver. The STQ cable includes four conductors, each conductor having a first end interfaced with a corresponding input/output (I/O) circuit of the first Ethernet transceiver in a single-ended configuration, and a second end interfaced with a corresponding input/output (I/O) circuit of the second Ethernet transceiver in a single-ended configuration.