[RESOLVED] What's the best tool to debug nw cabling?

January 12th, 2001, 11:31 AM

I recently upgraded my network hardware to a 10/100 switch from 10 Mbps switch and I am experiencing random lockups. I suspect that the wiring is not up to par with the faster speed. The wires are Cat 5 cables installed about 6 - 7 years ago. Can you recommend a tool to test and verify the quality of the wires?

korpse · January 13th, 2001, 10:33 AM

any FLUKE Lanmeter will do the job but they are pretty pricey.

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"You dumb bastard...it's not a schooner, it's a sailboat!"

January 13th, 2001, 03:02 PM

Yes, the FLUKE testers I am sure would do it but they are out of my price range at the moment ($2500 - $5000). I was hoping to find something in the $500 - $1000 range. Any other ideas?

Grider · January 16th, 2001, 01:33 PM

any of the microtest products are great and the low end ones are under a grand I believe

Grider

January 16th, 2001, 04:20 PM

I have a Microscanner (Microtest) it covers most any physical wiring issues it even indicates the length of the wire and will verify if the other end is connected to a hub or switch. I think around $200 for base model.

http://www.microtest.com/NTM/

I reread your post. If you are getting into analyzing data on the wire it won't be cheap. We use Fluke LANalyzers for that.

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--The Internet -- It's not just for porn anymore!!!

[This message has been edited by goinpostal (edited January 16, 2001).]

January 16th, 2001, 11:16 PM

Thanks for data. I'll look into the Microtest products to see if they have something in my price range. It appears that what I am looking for is in the higher price range, but we'll see.

January 24th, 2001, 10:43 AM

Well i didnt notice that you were wanting to test anything but the cable so you should be able to find many products between the 75.00 to 300.00 range to check the cable that will tell you the type of cable i.e. T568a, T568b, SCTP and so on and check the pairs and data capabilities. Go to www.warehouse.com to just take a look at a few of the diffrent testers offered. Like the "ByteBrothers TVR 10/100" The one i use and i am personally happy with is a STM-8 at http://www.siemon.com/e-catalog/family.asp?FAM=to_TT_CT check this stuff out and see if maybe its more what you are wanting.
Also keep in mind that with the proposed cat-6 and and cat7 they are talking about having each pair screened and its gonna be a nasty mess so with that said you may want to consider how much you want to spend on a piece of eqiupment that may not be good for more than a couple more years. X

January 12th, 2001, 11:31 AM	#1
Borgmaster Guest Posts: n/a	What's the best tool to debug nw cabling? I recently upgraded my network hardware to a 10/100 switch from 10 Mbps switch and I am experiencing random lockups. I suspect that the wiring is not up to par with the faster speed. The wires are Cat 5 cables installed about 6 - 7 years ago. Can you recommend a tool to test and verify the quality of the wires?

January 13th, 2001, 10:33 AM	#2
korpse Registered User Join Date: Sep 2000 Location: Rutherford, NJ Posts: 503	any FLUKE Lanmeter will do the job but they are pretty pricey. ------------------ "You dumb bastard...it's not a schooner, it's a sailboat!" __________________ "You dumb bastard...it's not a schooner, it's a sailboat!"

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January 13th, 2001, 03:02 PM	#3
Borgmaster Guest Posts: n/a	Yes, the FLUKE testers I am sure would do it but they are out of my price range at the moment ($2500 - $5000). I was hoping to find something in the $500 - $1000 range. Any other ideas?

January 16th, 2001, 01:33 PM	#4
Grider Registered User Join Date: Aug 2000 Location: Auburn,AL USA Posts: 81	any of the microtest products are great and the low end ones are under a grand I believe Grider

January 16th, 2001, 04:20 PM	#5
goinpostal Guest Posts: n/a	I have a Microscanner (Microtest) it covers most any physical wiring issues it even indicates the length of the wire and will verify if the other end is connected to a hub or switch. I think around $200 for base model. http://www.microtest.com/NTM/ I reread your post. If you are getting into analyzing data on the wire it won't be cheap. We use Fluke LANalyzers for that. ------------------ --The Internet -- It's not just for porn anymore!!! [This message has been edited by goinpostal (edited January 16, 2001).]

January 16th, 2001, 11:16 PM	#6
Borgmaster Guest Posts: n/a	Thanks for data. I'll look into the Microtest products to see if they have something in my price range. It appears that what I am looking for is in the higher price range, but we'll see.

January 24th, 2001, 10:43 AM	#7
x_789 Guest Posts: n/a	Well i didnt notice that you were wanting to test anything but the cable so you should be able to find many products between the 75.00 to 300.00 range to check the cable that will tell you the type of cable i.e. T568a, T568b, SCTP and so on and check the pairs and data capabilities. Go to www.warehouse.com to just take a look at a few of the diffrent testers offered. Like the "ByteBrothers TVR 10/100" The one i use and i am personally happy with is a STM-8 at http://www.siemon.com/e-catalog/family.asp?FAM=to_TT_CT check this stuff out and see if maybe its more what you are wanting. Also keep in mind that with the proposed cat-6 and and cat7 they are talking about having each pair screened and its gonna be a nasty mess so with that said you may want to consider how much you want to spend on a piece of eqiupment that may not be good for more than a couple more years. X