The internet is an indispensable tool in any business. In fact, it is hard to imagine how a business could run its operations efficiently without an internet connection.
Businesses and companies use the internet for all kinds of communication, including internal/external communications as well as transmitting vital business documents and information. High speed internet is used to accelerate business operations to enhance productivity and operational efficiency. Therefore, no business can afford to go offline even for a short period of time. In fact, network issues are some of the biggest productivity killers in any business.
So what do you do when a device suddenly loses connectivity?
Do you start disconnecting and reconnecting the ethernet cables?
Sure this may resolve the problem but you risk disconnecting a perfectly working connected device.
Do you wait until everyone has left for the day to do your testing?
This is an option but who really wants to do overtime work.
There is a way you can trace the right cable without interrupting or disconnecting from the network.
But first, let’s look at some of the methods you can use for testing and tracing cables:
1. Tones and testers
Tone testers are great telco tools to identify a wire from a bunch of cables, especially if it is at the other end of a circuit in a remote location. This technique is conducted in an online circuit. The tone sets off at one end of the circuit, meanwhile, you can check all cables in the server room or circuit until you identify the tone along the cable.
There are certain loopholes with this though. Sometimes, technicians are checking an entirely different location as the cable wire branches out in different directions. Most importantly, this method does not work in a live network. Hence the main connection needs to be disconnected momentarily to identify the specific wire.
2. Remote tag cables
Technicians can use a remote with cable testers to identify cables. Here again, the main connection from the server or router has to be disconnected, followed by downtime for testing. Again, this method does not work in a live network. Furthermore, if there are certain cables in separate locations, meaning one is in the server closet and some in another closet, you cannot use a remote to identify the particular cable.
3. Circuit breaker
When circuit breakers are meticulously labeled, it becomes easy to identify cables. Using this method, plug a night light into the circuit. You can turn off all the breakers in the electrical panel one by one. When you arrive at the right one, the plug light will illuminate and you will know the right wire. This is an option, yet not very effective as the system has to be shut down for a while.
4. Cable tester with the Link Light feature
The Link Light feature on the Platinum Tools Cable and Network testers does not require users to go offline while tracing and testing cables. Link Light is a clever trick where the tester, connected to an active network cable or port, makes the port light for that circuit flash at a regular rate.
The flashing rate can be varying in different cables so that you can easily differentiate from other networks. Even though you need to check multiple points, this method makes it easy to identify your cable. When you open the cable closet door, you can look for the unique flashing light and tag your connection.
The Link Light feature in Platinum Tools Cable and Network Testers allows live testing to troubleshoot ethernet cable issues.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
1. Can scheduling downtime for testing cables become an issue?
Yes, when ethernet cables stop working efficiently, resulting in downtime, the disruption in connectivity could be costly. Data centers are running 24/7 and numerous industries are dependent on continuous data supply. The downtime for tracing and testing could mean non-stop queries on help desks, QoS hits, expensive dead air from broadcast servers, and broken real-time data links that could lead to loss of business and work.
2. How to trace and test cables without disruption in uptime?
The link light feature in Platinum Tools Cable and Network testers is an efficient method of tracing and testing unlabeled ethernet cables on a live network. This means there is no disruption to the network or any disconnections involved.
On a final note...
Going offline can be a big economical loss even for a quick test. In addition, working in server rooms with unlabeled cables can be exhausting and frustrating for technicians. Not only do they need a respectable amount of time to trace the faulty cable, they also need some downtime for testing.
Low-impact methods that enable you to trace and test Ethernet cables have been around for a long time. However in this day and age where no one can afford a slight interruption in their network, disconnection is no longer acceptable. The Link Light feature found in Cable and Network testers from Platinum Tools does not compromise network connectivity while tracing and testing cables. The technicians can perform their jobs in complete privacy while users are unaware of any testing and continue to go on about their daily tasks.
If you need help in choosing which cable tester will suit your needs, contact us here or phone us on 03 9381 7888.