Tester gets the measure of cable bandwidth

Edited by the Engineeringtalk editorial team Feb 21, 2005

The new CableIQ qualification tester is billed as the first cabling bandwidth tester for network technicians.

The new CableIQ qualification tester is billed as the first cabling bandwidth tester for network technicians.

This intuitive handheld tool shows network technicians what speeds existing cabling can support and helps those technicians quickly solve network connectivity problems.

CableIQ's qualification test helps techs troubleshoot connectivity problems, deploy new technologies like VoIP and upgrade network to higher speeds.

The qualification test determines if existing cabling can support 10Base-T, 100Base-T, VoIP and gigabit Ethernet.

Its unique ability to see cabling bandwidth allows techs to isolate bandwidth-related cabling problems from network problems.

It shows the technician why the cable cannot support the desired network speed (eg connection fault at seven feet).

The unit also tests and displays results for length, wiremap, duplex settings and far-end device discovery.

The result is faster problem resolution, fewer escalated trouble tickets and seamless upgrades to higher network speeds.

CableIQ identifies the far-end device with infrastructure discovery and hub blink features.

The technician can see whether the port is connected to a switch, a PC, an analogue phone or an open cable.

This improves switch utilisation by freeing up and redeploying unused ports.

CableIQ tests both passive cabling installations and active networks.

This allows the technician to determine speed/duplex mismatches in a matter of seconds.

"The ability to troubleshoot an active port is a timesaver - reducing the total time needed for problem resolution", says Dave Bowling, IT Manager for State Farm Insurance in Chicago, Illinois.

The benefits come with very little training.

"I handed the unit to our maintenance folks; they turned the unit on and began testing within two minutes of reviewing the various selections available".

CableIQ's intelligent wiremap graphically maps the cable's wiring configuration and shows the distance to opens and shorts to isolate faults easier.

CableIQ will show not just that the 1-2 pair is open, but will show which wire is open, and at what distance from the tester.

In addition, CableIQ's remote ID accessories show the user, simultaneously, both the office location and the wiremap to that office.

The tester uses IntelliTone digital signalling technology to precisely locate cables on both passive and active networks in even the most chaotic wiring closet.

CableIQ generates both digital and analogue tones for use with Fluke Networks' IntelliTone probe.

Intelligent wiremap provides more useful information than other wiremap methods.

For the network technician who inherited a pre-existing cabling plant but has no records available on infrastructure layout or cable performance capabilities, CableIQ can quickly see what is at the far end of the cable and determine the performance capabilities of the link.

Saved results can be uploaded to a PC with the included CableIQ Reporter Software for fast documentation of the existing cable.

The CableIQ qualification tester is available for immediate delivery from Fluke Networks' sales partners worldwide.

CableIQ has a suggested UK list price of GBP 685.