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+--- Thread: decent, inexpensive network cable tester/identifier? (/showthread.php?tid=147175)
decent, inexpensive network cable tester/identifier? - deckeda - 01-12-2013
Over the years I've been doing this on a case-by-case basis with one end of the CAT5 plugged into my router or switch and the other into a laptop and verifying link speed --- I make my own cables, some of which are quite long reaching across the house.
With no more than 4 seconds of searching I stumbled on this: http://www.amazon.com/HDE-HDE-H11-Network-Cable-Tester/dp/B000P1OA1O Presumably you plug one end of a cable in one of them and use the other part to verify the other end. Know of a better one? Cheap is good --- this is for occasional use at home.
Re: decent, inexpensive network cable tester/identifier? - GGD - 01-12-2013
I've been using a tester similar to that for years. I wouldn't make a cable without it anymore.
The only frustrating thing once you know a cable is bad, is guessing which end needs to be re-done, sometimes looking closely with a magnifying glass gives you a clue, other time's you might as well flip a coin.
Re: decent, inexpensive network cable tester/identifier? - deckeda - 01-12-2013
I've usually been able to tell by looking. One or two wires typically didn't get pushed far enough in to make contact with the push-down pins.
Re: decent, inexpensive network cable tester/identifier? - GGD - 01-12-2013
And BTW: The way you've been testing, you could miss a lot, 10/100 BaseT only need two of the 4 pairs in the Cat5 cable, Gigabit needs all 4, but you might get switched down to the slower speed if the connections are defective in the outer two pairs.
Re: decent, inexpensive network cable tester/identifier? - deckeda - 01-12-2013
Right, but the Mac's Network pref lane/Advanced in one of those tabs will show if you're connected to 10- 100- or 1000-baseT.