SPECIAL FEATURE test equipment
Test Match
As network testers evolve to offer increasing levels of functionality , it isn ’ t always obvious which active network infrastructure testing device is the correct choice for the job . All too often , this can result in installers and technicians selecting the wrong tester . Tim Widdershoven of Ideal Networks gives us a simple guide to selecting network testing equipment .
With the wrong testers in hand , jobs may not be completed efficiently or within profitable timescales . There can also be a negative effect on customer satisfaction if downtime is increased or proof of performance cannot be delivered . Furthermore , the incorrect choice of tester sometimes leads to the unnecessary purchase of very expensive equipment when it is not required , or the need to purchase additional devices having already made an investment in test equipment that doesn ’ t have all the required functions . Both scenarios put pressure on what can often be tight budgets .
However , as most passive cabling systems now rely on Ethernet / IP as the foundation for data transmission , if you invest in the proper network tester , this ‘ structured cabling ’ can usually be checked with the same network equipment . This allows technicians to use their network tester in a wider range of applications , keeping costs down and minimising the amount of equipment to transport to different jobs .
To help demystify the terminology in the world of network testers and to help technicians spend on equipment that is fit for purpose , this article , outlines the most common types of network testing devices and the typical applications for each .
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