some organisations won’t allow external companies to attach their PC equipment to their network for fear of viruses or security breeches. This is particularly true of banks. Because they combine different
testing methods and are tailor-made to identify problems in the network, troubleshooting devices can be used in a variety of applications. A key benefit is that they can’t be infected with viruses and won’t be able to download, copy or read files, making them suitable for sensitive environments.
What do you want?
So, when choosing this type of device, what should you look for? For comfort and convenience, a troubleshooting device should be handheld and ergonomically designed. Although the equipment is primarily used in offices, it should be flexible and versatile enough to be used in any application. Bearing the growth of industrial Ethernet in mind, the equipment needs to be rugged and robust enough to use in quite harsh environments such as factories and processing plants. Products also need to be simple
to operate and easy to understand. Historically, some network testers have been complicated to use and interpret, and this might have discouraged some people from using them. However, the market has moved on. The adage ‘time is money’ has never
been so prevalent, we need to solve network issues quickly and move onto the next job to increase efficiency and that of our customers. In response to this, test equipment manufacturers have developed more simple products. Today’s troubleshooting devices should have ‘touch and test’ capabilities, and the user shouldn’t need to consult a lengthy instruction manual. To make things even simpler, some
products on the market offer auto-test functions for common tests. Another thing to look out for is a good internal memory so that tests can be saved, and job manager functions for access and organisation. Since network professionals can be
on the road for most of the day, care should also be taken to choose a product
www.netcommseurope.com
Any user of Ethernet has to accept that there will inevitably be network issues from time to time.
with a good battery life. A network professional will need around four hours continuous testing and, in addition to rechargeable batteries, the device should be able to run off standard AA batteries and the mains supply.
Think ahead
There are generally two types of network testers available. End point testers require each device to be removed in turn before the tester is plugged in. Inline testers meanwhile are placed between devices, for example between a PC and the network or a PC and a router. It is a good idea to consider what
might be important in the future. For example, it’s likely that PoE+ will become the next standard, with PoE+ switches already being available on the market. So, a troubleshooting device that includes PoE+ could provide a level of future-proofing. For the same reason, it is also a good idea to ensure that a tester has good multimedia capabilities, for example being able to test active
LAN connections over not just copper, but also fibre and Wi-Fi, which are of course becoming increasingly popular, especially in new build premises. If a network professional is
concerned about investing in new equipment because of budget constraints, they should look for a product that offers low cost of ownership and minimal maintenance. For example, understanding that our RJ45s usually wear out after only around 1,000-2,000 insertions we have ensured that the RJ45s on LanXplorer Pro can be removed and replaced. This ensures that the product has a long and inexpensive life. Today, network faults and slowdowns
need to be resolved as quickly as possible, and everyone needs to be more efficient and work smarter. A network troubleshooting device is a
worthwhile investment that can quickly pay for itself by increasing efficiency and productivity
NETCOMMS europe Volume II, Issue 1 2011 33
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