Patch Testing / Tracing

SteelerRob · 24 Jan 2017 at 22:53

Hi Guys,

I am just starting out in the IT Industry, I look after 14 primary schools, all things IT, my biggest issue is none of the engineers I have taken over from have bothered to label their port to switch paths, and its driving me slowly insane!

I know tone generators are used to trace the cables but my query is, is there a device I can plug in to the wall port that will send a data signal down the line to the patch port and give me a visual link light for reference signal wise? then I can check each port on the patch until I find the signal.

I know its a basic query, but I havn't had the pleasure of tracing 60 un-used, un-labeld ports before :eek:

Many Thanks

Rob

PiKe · 24 Jan 2017 at 22:59

The easiest way would be to use 2 people, patch all the ports into a switch then go round with a laptop manually plugging into each socket and have the other guy label them up as you get link lights.

bremen1874 · 24 Jan 2017 at 23:14

The previous suggestion will obviously work, but haven't you got a cable tester?

Plug the (hopefully multiple and numbered) end points into the ports to be identified and then use the cable tester to find them.

If you haven't got the facilities available to trace and test a network cable you'll struggle.

SteelerRob · 24 Jan 2017 at 23:24

Unfortunately I am a lone engineer, nor will my company supply me with a cable tester as network mapping is not part of my sites contracts and so is classed as chargeable work. However it is causing me issues when people want equipment moving, at the moment it's patch and hope!

I wouldn't be against buying a cable tester that will do tracing for myself, could you recommend one?

Cheers

Rob

bremen1874 · 24 Jan 2017 at 23:53

If they aren't supplying equipment I'd just do as PiKe suggested and label them as you go.

There'll usually be some logic to how the ports in the rooms map to the patch panels. If you find port '30' in a room then the one to the right of it will usually be port '31' or port '29'.

If you want a basic cable tester just stick 'network cable tester' into Google and pick the under £10 option you like the look of. All they do is test end-to-end continuity, but that's all you often need.

If you want to get really basic just grab a spare network switch and plug it into the room port you're interested in. You can then try the empty ports on the patch panel until you find one with an active connection. This does at least have the benefit that plugging a switch in isn't going to break anything.

bledd · 25 Jan 2017 at 06:59

Be careful. Cable testers shouldn't be connected to anything but a tester end. Connecting then to a switch or pc can damage the tester and the device that it goes into.

They are very handy though.

I would buy 5x of these, disconnect all devices, then connect up 5x ends at a time, then turn on the testers. I can make a video of how they work if you like.

Deleted member 77746 · 25 Jan 2017 at 08:09

SteelerRob said:
Unfortunately I am a lone engineer, nor will my company supply me with a cable tester as network mapping is not part of my sites contracts and so is classed as chargeable work. However it is causing me issues when people want equipment moving, at the moment it's patch and hope!

I wouldn't be against buying a cable tester that will do tracing for myself, could you recommend one?

Cheers

Rob

They cost peanuts. If they won't buy the equipment tell them you can't do the job. Simple as that really.

If it's chargeable work tell them they need to get someone to come in and label them properly. Seriously if they can't even buy a cable tester that's pathetic!

Tell them you want a label machine as well! And if you do it, it will save them money by not needing to get anyone in.

SteelerRob · 25 Jan 2017 at 09:51

If it's chargeable work tell them they need to get someone to come in and label them properly.

Tell them you want a label machine as well! And if you do it, it will save them money by not needing to get anyone in.

It would be my company that wants to charge my sites extra for mapping, that is why they are reluctant to supply testers. It will make my life easier but would end up potentially losing my company a sales opportunity.

I have bought my own label printer :rolleyes:

Thanks for the tips anyway

I have a spare switch so I will probably take that route.

ubersonic · 25 Jan 2017 at 11:13

I just use a tone tester in this situation, you can pick them up off eBay for like <£10 (they are not complex devices).

*EDIT*

If you really don't want to spend any money, then a dirt cheap solution is to get a RJ45 plug and a single piece of (correct gauge) wire then bend the wire into a U shape and crimp it into the plug so it links pins 1+8 (or another combo of your choosing) then you can use a multimeter at the panel to find the port (ofc this assumes you own or have access to a multimeter).

It's much easier to just get a tone tester though.