2.9 Given a scenario, use appropriate networking tools. 15

A cable tester is used to test a cable to find out if it is good or to find out what type of cable it is if the cable is not labeled.

You can also use a cable tester to locate the ends of a network cable in a building. A cable tester has two components, the remote and the base

A patch panel (see Figure 15-30) provides

multiple network ports for cables that converge in one location such as an electrical closet or server room.

A punchdown tool, also called an impact tool (see Figure 15-29),

used to punch individual wires in a network cable into their slots in a keystone RJ-45 jack that is used in an RJ-45 wall jack. Later in the chapter, you learn how to use the tool with a key

A loopback plug can be used to test a network cable or port. To test a port or cable, connect one end of the cable to a network port on a computer or other device, and connect the loopback plug to the other end of the cable (see Figure 15-22). If the LED light on the loopback plug lights up, the cable and port are good.

Another way to use a loopback plug is to find out which port on a switch in an electrical closet matches up with a wall jack. Plug the loopback plug into the wall jack. The connecting port on the switch in the closet lights up. When buying a loopback plug, pay attention to the Ethernet speeds it supports. Some only support 100 Mbps; others support 100 Mbps and 1000 Mbps.

Crimper. A crimper is used to attach a terminator or connector to the end of a cable. It applies force to pinch the connector to the wires in the cable to securely make a solid connection.

Figure 15-28 shows a multifunctional crimper that can crimp a RJ-45 or RJ-11 connector. It also serves double-duty as a wire cutter and wire stripper.

Wi-Fi analyzer. A Wi-Fi analyzer is software that can find Wi-Fi networks, determine signal strengths, help optimize Wi-Fi signal settings, and help identify Wi-Fi security threats.

For example, you can use a Wi-Fi analyzer to find out which Wi-Fi channels are being used before you pick your channels. You can turn your smart phone into a Wi-Fi analyzer by installing a free or inexpensive app through your phone's app store (see Figure 15-26).

a tone probe, is a two-part kit that is used to find cables in the walls of a building. See Figure 15-27. The toner connects to one end of the cable and puts out a continu- ous or pulsating tone on the cable. While the toner is putting out the tone, you use the probe to search the walls for the tone.

The probe amplifies the tone so you hear it as a continuous or pulsating beep. The beeps get louder when you are close to the cable and weaker when you move the probe away from the cable. With a little patience, you can trace the cable through the walls. Some toners can put out tones up to 10 miles on a cable and offer a variety of ways to connect to the cable, such as clips and RJ-45 and RJ-11 connectors.

A wire stripper is used to build your own network cable or repair a cable.

Use the wire stripper to cut away the plastic jacket or coating around the wires inside a twisted-pair cable so that you can install a connector on the end of the cable. How to use wire strippers is covered later in the chapter.

Network multimeter. You learned about multimeters in the chapter, "First Look at Computer Parts and Tools." A network multimeter (see Figure 15-25) is a multifunctional tool that can test cables, ports, and network adapters.

When you connect it to your network, it can also detect the Ethernet speed, duplex status, default router on the network, length of a cable, voltage levels of PoE, and other network statistics and details. Many network multimeters can document test results and upload results to a computer. Good network multimeters can cost several hundred dollars.