Softing’s FiberXpert OTDR 5000
Softing’s FiberXpert OTDR 5000 is compliant to the Tier 1 light source and power meter (LSPM) and Tier 2 optical time domain reflectometer (OTDR) specifications. The company says the tester has a high dynamic range with an event dead zone less than 80 cm for measuring and documenting short fiber links. Per Softing, “After a fiber optic cable installation, wouldn’t it be nice to have an x-ray device where you could see through walls and check bend radius, splices, breaks, and connectors?” The FiberXpert OTDR 5000 uses optical time domain reflectometry to send a light pulse through the fiber and then measure the reflected signal profile to check bend radius, splices, breaks, and connectors. Components, fault types, and distance to fault are graphically displayed on the FiberXpert console. Users can address the source of most fiber-optic network failures by connecting the microscope to check and document cleanliness of fiber ends and link end surfaces. The FiberXpert OTDR 5000 includes both multimode 850/1300nm and singlemode 1310/1550nm capabilities.
Softing,itnetworks.softing.com/us
Fluke Networks’ DSX-8000 Cat 8 CableAnalyzer
Fluke Networks says the DSX-8000 Cat 8 CableAnalyzer enables testing and certification of twisted pair cabling for up to 40 Gigabit Ethernet deployments and will handle any cabling system whether it is a Cat 5e, 6, 6A, 8 or Class FA and I/II. According to the company, the DSX-8000 includes the first permanent link and channel adapters with a full 2 GHz range. These adapters allow connection to installed links in the field, which is required by contractors installing Cat 8 systems. Fluke adds that the DSX-8000 is also the first tester to be endorsed by Cat 8 cabling manufacturers. “One of the main reasons for certifying installed cabling is to obtain a manufacturer’s warranty. Without their endorsement, the certification is of no use for this purpose,” notes the company. Finally, Fluke says the DSX-8000 is the first tester independently verified to meet the ANSI/TIA-1152-A Level 2G requirements for measurement accuracy required for Cat 8 testers and test screen continuity along the path of the cabling as required for Level 2G testers.
Fluke Networks, flukenetworks.com
Southwire’s M300P Professional VDV Cable Mapper
The M300P Professional VDV Cable Mapper quickly tests voice, data, and video cabling for common wiring faults. Easily test patch or installed twisted-pair data cables with RJ11 or RJ45 connectors by plugging one end into the tester and the other end into the detachable remote. Test coax in the same manner. The tester will identify reversed or open connections, and shorts with two or more wires—or with the shield. The tester also maps installed cable runs with included RJ45 and F-Connector ID remotes. Expansion ID remote kits are available. The Southwire M300P is built to last with a rubberized, impact-resistant housing, silicone port covers to protect from dust and debris, and cable voltage warning and low battery indicators.
Southwire Tools & Equipment, southwire.com
NaviTEK NT
The updated NaviTEK NT from Ideal Networks launched in 2016 to help networking professionals quickly pinpoint and solve issues for both copper and fiber-optic networks, the company said. Compact and flexible, the handheld network troubleshooter fits into restrictive areas where important cabling is often located far more easily than a laptop, helping technicians work more effectively, Ideal Networks added.
“To save time, the network tester uses LLDP [Link Layer Discovery Protocol], CDP [Cisco Discovery Protocol], and EDP [Endpoint Discovery Protocol] to show which switch and port the cable is plugged into, and provides automatic virtual LAN ID detection for quick configuration. It detects ISDN, POTS and PoE services, performs wiremapping including length measurement and displays distance to fault, and enables Ethernet utilization to indicate broadcast network traffic in real time. Other features include autotest, netscan, and network probe functions.
Test results can be saved as PDF reports and shared with colleagues or clients via the Ideal AnyWARE app, which is free.
Ideal Networks, idealnetworks.net