How to test Fibre Connection?

[Bev]

We have a portable classroom which is connected to our main building via a Fibre connection. There are workmen in the field between the 2, installing another portacabin, and the internet has gone off in the existing portable. I suspect they have cut through the fibre, is there anyway to check?

 

Bev

[glen_j]

The easy way is to remove the patch leads and shine a light into the port with someone at the other end looking to see if light comes through. it will at least tell you if the cable is intact.

[FishCustard]

The easy way is to remove the patch leads and shine a light into the port with someone at the other end looking to see if light comes through. it will at least tell you if the cable is intact.

 

Yup, have done this. Best to use a high output LED torch.

[SamanthaD]

I was thinking of putting this as a flippant answer, until I realised it would actually work....

[Bev]

Shine a light into the port, or into the actual cable?

[fiza]

Shine a light into the port, or into the actual cable?

Into the cable that is attached to the port at one end. Then look for the light at the other end.

[Michael]

Another aspect to check is the switch(es) status of where the fibre's patched in.

 

If you know it, you can also try pinging the switch (at the other end using the ping 192.168.1.1 -t command), so it'll be pretty clear if the link is consistently off or intermittent.

[AlanD]

You should see the link light on the switch....at each end.

 

We warn contractors...as part of a document they get when arriving on site...that cutting fibre connections will result in them being responsible for their repair. And as a result we have twice saved the cost of an in-line repair. They even found contractors to do the job without us having to chase them...

[chazzy2501]

+1 for the torch, I used this method to discover unlabelled ports. regular torch will do it or the phone led, it won't however tell you if the cable is damaged and refracting. have you tried a different pair on the same run?