PACE-IT: Troubleshooting Connectivity With Hardware
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Just because a network cable looks fine does not mean it is not faulty. Cables can be faulty due to hidden breaks, incorrect wiring, or being too long. Various tools can help identify cable issues, including multimeters, cable testers, toner probes, and TDR/OTDR devices. Wireless analyzers and looking glass sites also assist with troubleshooting connectivity problems on wireless networks and determining if issues are local or remote.
PACE-IT: Troubleshooting Connectivity With Hardware
- 2. Page 2 Instructor, PACE-IT Program – Edmonds Community College Areas of Expertise Industry Certification PC Hardware Network Administration IT Project Management Network Design User Training IT Troubleshooting Qualifications Summary Education M.B.A., IT Management, Western Governor’s University B.S., IT Security, Western Governor’s University Entrepreneur, executive leader, and proven manger with 10+ years of experience turning complex issues into efficient and effective solutions. Strengths include developing and mentoring diverse workforces, improving processes, analyzing business needs and creating the solutions required— with a focus on technology.
- 3. Page 3 – What makes a cable bad? – Cable testing tools. – Additional tools. PACE-IT.
- 4. Page 4 Troubleshooting connectivity with hardware.
- 5. Page 5 Network cables can go bad, or be bad, without any visible indication. Alternatively, a cable may be inappropriate for a particular application. It can be difficult to visually tell if the cables are wired correctly and a break in the wire may not be visible. Both of these will cause problems. Additionally, anything that makes the cable fall outside of specifications will make it a bad cable. How long is the cable? Is the cable over its maximum run length? Is the cable rated for the amount of data being run over the wire? All of these are questions that can be answered using the proper tools. Troubleshooting connectivity with hardware.
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- 7. Page 7 – Multimeter. » Can be used to test for breaks in copper wiring. • Good network cables have a very low resistance value from one end to the other (resistance is measured in ohms). • A high (or infinite) ohms value indicates a break in the cable. – Crimper. » Used for attaching cable ends onto cables. » It can either be specific to a particular type of cable end, or it may work for more than one type. • It is not uncommon to need to replace the ends of twisted pair wiring. Troubleshooting connectivity with hardware.
- 8. Page 8 – Cable tester/cable certifier. » Can be either fairly simple or very complex. » Cable testers will test for continuity (is there a break?). » Cable testers will test for proper pinouts (are all the wires in the right places?). » Some will test for the wiring standard (T568A or T568B). » Cable certifiers will also test for more network related items (e.g., speed and duplex settings). • They are used to certify a given network segment. – Toner probe. » Usually a two-piece set (an injector places a signal onto a wire; the probe detects the signal and emits a tone). • It is also sometimes called a fox and hound. » Used to find and trace wires. • Useful when having to replace a single wire in a bundle of wires; you can place the injector on one end to figure out which wire it is at the other end. Troubleshooting connectivity with hardware.
- 9. Page 9 – Time-Domain Reflectometer (TDR). » A cable tester that can also determine the length of a segment. » They can also tell where a break is in a segment. • More expensive than a standard cable tester. – Optical Time-Domain Reflectometer (OTDR). » Performs the same functions as a TDR, but is used for fiber cabling. • It is often called a light meter—as it can measure the quantity and quality of the light going through a fiber optic cable. Troubleshooting connectivity with hardware.
- 10. Page 10 – Other thoughts. » Unless installing cabling, the most important tools are the cable tester, crimper, and toner probe. • I have never been able to personally justify the cost of a TDR. » Most of the time you can make due with inexpensive tools; however, spending more on certain tools will usually save time and money in the long run. • Exception: inexpensive toner probes (usually the ones under about $40) can be difficult to work with (or they just don’t work at all). » Try to strike a balance between cost and effectiveness. You can spend thousands of dollars on some of these tools and then never utilize them to their fullest potential. Troubleshooting connectivity with hardware.
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- 12. Page 12 – Wireless analyzer. » A similar tool to the protocol analyzer, but is used for wireless networks. • Sniffs out packets on wireless networks; this information can be used to help solve wireless connectivity issues. » Can also perform other functions. • Can check for bandwidth usage, channel usage, top talkers, and top listeners. • Can identify networks by passively scanning the radio frequencies (RFs). • Can identify hidden networks, if given enough time. • Can infer non-beaconing networks based on data traffic. – Looking Glass (LG) sites. » Publically available sites that can be used to view routing information remotely as viewed by an LG server. • Create a read only portal on which routing statistics can be generated and viewed. • Can be helpful in determining if the connectivity issue is occurring because of problems on the local network, or if the remote connection is the issue. Troubleshooting connectivity with hardware.
- 13. Page 13 Troubleshooting connectivity with hardware. Just because there is nothing visually wrong with a network cable doesn’t mean there isn’t a problem. A hidden break, bad ends, a miss-wired connection, and other issues will cause the cable to be bad. Topic What makes a cable bad? Summary Multimeters can test for shorts. Crimpers are used to replace cable ends. Cable testers can tell if there is an incorrect pinout or a break in the cable. Toner probes are used to trace a specific wire from end to end. TDR/OTDRs can determine the length of a cable run. Cable testing tools. Wireless analyzers are packet sniffers for wireless networks and can be used to help determine the cause of connectivity issues on wireless. LG sites can be used to remotely view routing statistics and are useful in determining if a connectivity issue is due to local issues or remote issues. Additional tools.
- 15. This workforce solution was 100 percent funded by a $3 million grant awarded by the U.S. Department of Labor's Employment and Training Administration. The solution was created by the grantee and does not necessarily reflect the official position of the U.S. Department of Labor. The Department of Labor makes no guarantees, warranties, or assurances of any kind, express or implied, with respect to such information, including any information on linked sites and including, but not limited to, accuracy of the information or its completeness, timeliness, usefulness, adequacy, continued availability or ownership. Funded by the Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration, Grant #TC-23745-12-60-A-53. PACE-IT is an equal opportunity employer/program and auxiliary aids and services are available upon request to individuals with disabilities. For those that are hearing impaired, a video phone is available at the Services for Students with Disabilities (SSD) office in Mountlake Terrace Hall 159. Check www.edcc.edu/ssd for office hours. Call 425.354.3113 on a video phone for more information about the PACE-IT program. For any additional special accommodations needed, call the SSD office at 425.640.1814. Edmonds Community College does not discriminate on the basis of race; color; religion; national origin; sex; disability; sexual orientation; age; citizenship, marital, or veteran status; or genetic information in its programs and activities.