Testing old network cabling.

[ICT_GUY]

A legacy issue is raising its head.

After some network connectivity issues, it has become apparent that our old cat 5 cable may be breaking down.

Its over 17 years old. I need something to test its condition, and identify faulty cables.

I looked at buying a Fluke tester. The prices are somewhat more than our budget.

Can anyone suggest A Fluke alternative? I would say I could probably budget up to £600.

Or is it a case of just getting a company in?

Any input welcome.

[LeMarchand]

From previous discussions, I seem to remember these being recommended:

 

https://smile.amazon.co.uk/Fluke-Networks-MT-8200-60-KIT-IntelliTone-Toner/dp/B00N2S6RPY

 

https://pockethernet.com/

[Strawdog]

Cat 5 doesn't really break down (it's a solid copper core in a PVC sheathe) - wear and tear (pins in sockets getting bent, cable getting crushed/crimped/worn, plugs coming loose, etc.) is the more likely cause.

 

A cheap £10 network cable tester (e.g. http://www.amazon.co.uk/Keple-Ethernet-Connnector-Broadband-Connection/dp/B07M67QN75) will tell you if you have a pin out and a set of crimps will set you back another tenner (or grab a bundle - http://www.amazon.co.uk/Hiija-Through-Crimping-Connectors-Stripper/dp/B082XXJ6RF) replacing RJ45 plugs takes a few seconds after a bit of practice.

 

A Fluke tester, whilst lovely kit, is overkill for most people's needs but you can pick up cheap alternatives that do most of the core stuff (e.g. http://www.amazon.co.uk/Multi-Functional-Network-Tester-Tracker-Flashing/dp/B08QCY1785)

[ICT_GUY]

Smartphone based one looks very interesting.

Have you used it?

[LeMarchand]

Smartphone based one looks very interesting.

Have you used it?

 

I wish. The only "network tester" I have is one of these: https://smile.amazon.co.uk/Network-Telephone-Detector-Networking-Portable/dp/B09TLGQT6G

[andy_b]

Smartphone based one looks very interesting.

Have you used it?

 

Got a Pockethernet, its "alright". Mostly just use it for the "IP analyzer" bit. Otherwise I just use a standard cheap and cheerful tester to check pin-outs etc..

 

It seems to be somewhat of a dead project though - hasn't been any updates for a while.

[E_G_R2]

Cat 5 doesn't really break down (it's a solid copper core in a PVC sheathe) - wear and tear (pins in sockets getting bent, cable getting crushed/crimped/worn, plugs coming loose, etc.) is the more likely cause.

 

A cheap £10 network cable tester (e.g. www.amazon.co.uk/Keple-Ethernet-Connnector-Broadband-Connection/dp/B07M67QN75) will tell you if you have a pin out and a set of crimps will set you back another tenner (or grab a bundle - www.amazon.co.uk/Hiija-Through-Crimping-Connectors-Stripper/dp/B082XXJ6RF) replacing RJ45 plugs takes a few seconds after a bit of practice.

 

A Fluke tester, whilst lovely kit, is overkill for most people's needs but you can pick up cheap alternatives that do most of the core stuff (e.g. www.amazon.co.uk/Multi-Functional-Network-Tester-Tracker-Flashing/dp/B08QCY1785)

 

Cabling can break down, especially if it is poor quality cable, Overtime the cable may be exposed to temperature changes, humidity and even compaction over time which will all have a bearing on its ability to perform.

 

Also give it a visual inspection on routes, you may have had some work done recently that has exposed it to electromagnetic interferance, say new lights of a new electricity cable run.

 

I agree that the first step would be to check a sample of connections for basic issues such as failed pins etc..

 

If this doesn't show up any issues then see if you can get a cable testing company to come in and fluke test a selection of points.

Edited May 9, 2022 by E_G_R2

[andy_b]

Cabling can break down, especially if it is poor quality cable, Overtime the cable may be exposed to temperature changes, humidity and even compaction over time which will all have a bearing on its ability to perform.

 

I agree that the first step would be to check a sample of connections for basic issues such as failed pins etc..

 

If this doesn't show up any issues then see if you can get a cable testing company to come in and fluke test a selection of points.

 

Especially if someone cheaped out and used CCA.

[Michael]

I agree CAT5 can certainly break down, even if you had a small section (say 1m) exposed outside. I've seen all kinds of daft installations.

 

Other possibilities are other contractors inadvertently damaging cable if it's not in conduit, or cables being painted to blend with walls etc...

[Chris_Cook]

I had a pockethernet, handy, but it broke when I plugged it into a dodgy charger. There are IP camera testers on amazon that have similar features.

 

Cat5 can breakdown if exposed to UV light (eg if internal grade cable is used outside) It can also break if subject to movement where it hasn't been cable tied down for the full run. Rodent damage is also a thing especially in dado trunking.

 

 

If its cat5 rather than 5e, then I would probably just pay to replace it or force the connection to 100Mb. Otherwise, I'd re-do the ends and see if that helps.

 

The different types of testers (even if made by Fluke) do different things, and there isn't really a cheap substitute for a full fluke tester.

 

The basic ones are great for seeing if the wires are all connected. The toner and probes are perfect if the labels have fallen off of the ends and you need to work out where it goes. The more expensive TDR testers give a pretty good indication of where damage is in a cable. But none of these are going to test for electrical interference, or tell you if its cat5, 5e, or 6 etc. I've also had funny readings on very long cables (still less than 90m) with the basic testers.

 

It's also worth looking at your switches as many of them now have built in TDR tests. You can do the LLDP and dhcp tests on a linux or windows laptop with the right software.

[Aprice]

I believe it is difficult now to get hold of the Pockethernets in the UK since brexit. Thankfully I bought one just before they stopped shipping, also managed to get a Fluke linkrunner from ebay for about £200. The Fluke is worth it's weight in gold if you can get one at a sensible price.

 

There's also Netool, however I believe it doesn't support POE.

[Strawdog]

Temperature changes, humidity, compaction, rodents, etc. are all external factors (i.e. wear and tear) - to me the term 'break down' means natural rot/perishing/degradation over time (e.g. sticky / brittle plastics) which yes is possible with cheap cables (especially if exposed to UV) but it's still far more likely to be caused by other factors.

[synaesthesia]

At 17 years old, I would strongly suggest having replacement investigated. Yes it's a massive cost, however if you're having noticeable issues then it could indicate possible faults elsewhere, either current or soon-to-happen. Plus it will absolutely not be to current standards regarding performance and fire rating.

At the very least though, get someone professional in rather than wing it with what you have even with decent tools to carry out a complete survey.

I've had to do this recently at a primary school I work for after noticing some dodgy joins in cables which were apparently done by roofers when cutting through or damaging cables. The one I found was furthered by another dozen around the school by the engineers and the difference in performance even though it's gone from gig to gig (although switch interlinks were updated to 10gbit) is staggering. Even with the best diagnostic equipment available and some vague sense of knowing how to use them, I wouldn't have been able to trace and find all of those.

[TechMonkey]

Managed to get an LRAT2000 kit into my budget and got a great deal. It was totally worth it and saved us a lot of headaches when troubleshooting cables. Went to get one at my new place and the price seems to have doubled and it isn't as clear what product is a direct relation to it.

 

Can not rave enough about them though. Gives switch info, port info, vlan info, poe info, full end to end testing including DHCP/DNS/Google connectivity. It also does the usual tone testing, break and cable tests (with estimated distances) and dongles to identify ports

Edited May 9, 2022 by TechMonkey

[Deanuk]

Managed to get an LRAT2000 kit into my budget and got a great deal. It was totally worth it and saved us a lot of headaches when troubleshooting cables. Went to get one at my new place and the price seems to have doubled and it isn't as clear what product is a direct relation to it.

 

Can not rave enough about them though. Gives switch info, port info, vlan info, poe info, full end to end testing including DHCP/DNS/Google connectivity. It also does the usual tone testing, break and cable tests (with estimated distances) and dongles to identify ports

 

The best bit of kit I've ever purchased.

[DeGrimmy]

We have a Pockethernet and a Netool tester. Pockethernet is much easier to use as you connect your phone to it using Bluetooth, and the app is very simple. Netool is good but it creates a WiFi hotspot instead, which isn't as simple, and the app's UI is a little more complex.

 

We mainly use them to see which port on a switch the connection goes to, so I'm not sure how useful they might be for your issue.

[jthompson]

Can recommend Pockethernet, too. One of its functions is a TDR test (i.e. cable length) which ought to help you to determine is a cable has damaged wires somewhere along its length. Other features of it that I've found useful are error rate tests across a cable, port light blinking, DHCP service and PoE availability.

 

I don't know if it's still on the market, but avoid the Fluke Intellitone Pro 200 - I suspect it's a rebadged effort. The price was more like £100 IIRC. It has the Fluke name on it but it's garbage. We've had two of them in the past end up with the same game-breaking problems that were reported by others online: dodgy RJ45 socket on the main tester and battery drain in the probe unit even when it's turned off.

[Chris_Cook]

The other thing I'd recommend with the basic continuity testers is not plugging them into a port with POE on it.

 

I've seen a few break from this as they have no protection. It's mildly amusing when a contractor does this twice in a row. Not so funny when you end up re-running a cable because your tester you've been using all morning just broke and you didn't realise.

 

POE testers are available and worth using first.

 

It's worth testing your tester if it says a cable has failed.

[ICT_GUY]

Just to clarify.

Due to the age of the cabling in both schools I work in, Cat 5 is definitely an issue. Forcing 100mb connection is possible but not ideal.

The connections are sound as tested by a simple tester. I was looking for a better idea of how the wiring is holding up.

I am looking at recommending a rewire of the classrooms in the near future.

It won't be cheap but I can't see us getting away with 20 year old cat 5.

 

Thank you all for your input.

[PotNoodleTech]

Got an ideal networks meter - like a basic version of a fluke - does all I need and wasnt stupid thousands of quids either. Any advanced troubleshooting gets done by our cabling contractors with theyre 20 grand fluke.