Step 1: Qualify the Cabling
Use a cable qualification tester to check the bandwidth of any horizontal copper cabling link. A qualification tester checks for opens, shorts, wiremap, crosstalk, impedance faults, cable length, and then automatically generates a list of supportable speeds (10/100/VoIP/Gig). To save additional time, use a qualification tester which supports multiple cable identifiers. Plug up to seven cable identifiers into various ports on the patch panel. Then, perform the qualification tests office by office. Be sure to save results after each test to avoid confusion later on (see next step).
Step 2: Save and Upload Test Results
After qualifying each cable, be sure to save the test results and cable ID in the tool. This way, test results can be easily referenced when troubleshooting problems or when proving the capabilities of the cable. Accompanying software can be used to upload test data to a PC, organize results, and generate test reports. Finally, the test reports should be saved on a network drive that other technicians can access. This will avoid unnecessary duplication of efforts when multiple technicians are responsible for maintaining the network.
Step 3: Troubleshoot Disqualified Results
A qualification tester will also display any speeds which are not supportable. Any of these disqualified results can be viewed to identify and troubleshoot the problem. At the first layer of detail, the tester will identify whether the failure is due to faulty wiremap, excessive length, and/or poor signal performance. At the second layer of detail, the tester will display the type and location of the fault. For example, it will tell you there is a connection fault at 7.5 feet. This is most likely a faulty jack or plug. Or, it will tell you that there is a distributed fault 20 feet away. This is likely to be a low-quality cable possibly a Cat 3 patch cord.
Step 4: Test Link Partner Capability
After troubleshooting any disqualified results, disconnect the remote terminator and connect the cable to the Ethernet switch. Check the advertised auto-negotiation capabilities. If the link is capable of operating at GigE, the tool will display this. While it's not absolutely necessary to actually link at this speed, but it is recommended as a best practice. After qualifying that the cable can support GigE, the new device (switch, PC, phone, etc.) can be connected with assurance that cabling will not be an issue.
Source: Fluke Networks
Website: www.flukenetworks.com
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