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

[Borgmaster]

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]

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!"

[Borgmaster]

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]

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

Grider

[goinpostal]

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

[Borgmaster]

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.

[x_789]

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