NETWORKING TOOLS

TONE GENERATOR

An electronic device that sends an electrical signal through one set of UTP cables. (FOX AND HOUND)

DEMARC

A demarcation point where a building's wiring ends and the telephone company's wiring begins.

25 PAIR

25 pair cables consist of 25 pairs of copper wiring, used for punching down into a block

SMART JACK

A device that serves as the demarcation point between the end user's inside wiring and local access carriers' facilities.

FIRE EXTINGUISHER

A device that sprays chemicals that put out fires. (CLASS C)

IDF (Intermediate Distribution Frame)

A distribution frame in a central office or customer premises, which cross-connects the user cable media to individual user line circuits and may serve as a distribution point for multi pair cable from the main distribution frame or combined distribution frame.

MULTIMETER

A measuring instrument for current, voltage, and resistance

PUNCHDOWN TOOL

A specialized tool for connecting UTP wires to a punch down block.

WIRE CRIMPER

A tool that attaches media connectors to the ends of cables.

66 BLOCK

A type of punch-down block designed to terminate telephone connections. The numeral 66 refers to the model number of the earliest blocks.

PATCH PANEL

A wall-mounted panel of data receptors into which cross-connect patch cables from the punch-down block are inserted.

MDF (Main Distribution Frame)

Also known as the main cross-connect, the first point of interconnection between an organization's LAN or WAN and a service provider's facility.

BUTT SET

Device that can tap into a 66- or 110-punchdown block to see if a particular line is working.

CABLE STRIPPER

Device that enables the creation of UTP cables.

PROTOCOL ANALYZER

Hardware or software that captures packets to decode and analyze their contents. (PACKET SNIFFER)

MSDS (Material Safety Data Sheet)

Standardized form that provides detailed information about potential environmental hazards and proper disposal methods associated with various computing components.

ESD (Electrostatic Discharge)

Static electricity that can build up and discharge causing damage to electronic components. Antistatic devices help prevent ESD damage.

110 BLOCK

The most common connection used with structured cabling, connecting horizontal cable runs with patch panels.

VOLTAGE EVENT RECORDER

Tracks voltage over time by plugging into a power outlet.

MEDIA TESTER

USED TO TEST NETWORK CABLES

100 PAIR

consists of 100 pairs of wires used for punching down on a punch down block

TDR (TIME DOMAIN REFLECTOR)

is a powerful technique in which a pulse is generated to propagate down a cable, after which the reflected signal returns to the generator and is then interpreted based on its shape, phase, and delay.

DEMARC EXTENSION

point where a network connectivity line terminates within or just outside of a building and may need to be extended further to accommodate the extended connectivity segment.

ANTIVIRUS

software that is specifically designed to detect viruses and protect a computer and files from harm

OTDR (Optical Time Domain Reflectometer)

transmits light-based signals of different wavelengths over fiber optic cabling to determine cabling issues.