As the range of demands faced by LAN installers continues to expand and become more complex, the already important role of the multi-function LAN tester takes on increased significance. Understanding the key features of a multi-function LAN tester and being able to make the right recommendations to datacom customers will enhance a distributor's ability to sell this high-margin item plus add value to the distributor-customer relationship.

What Do Field Installers Want?
Field installers need to be able to test, diagnose and certify many different types and grades of copper and fiber cabling. These systems may be configured into a wide range of specific installations, including workgroup level LANs, horizontal links, permanent links, and campus level backbones, among others. To do so, field test equipment must be highly portable, easy-to-use, and powerful enough to accommodate the higher frequencies used in today's networks. At the same time, field testers also must offer the versatility and options to handle a variety of situations in order to avoid burdening installers with buying, learning and carrying multiple test devices.

Here are the 8 key characteristics that installers should expect from a complete field-test device:
1. Support for CAT5e, CAT6, and CAT7
The continued evolution of cabling over the past decade means that today's installers must be able to certify to the newest leading-edge cable standards as well as dealing with a variety of previously installed cabling that conforms to earlier standards. The same tester should interface easily with UTP, ScTP, and STP cable, and be able to verify compliance with CAT5, 5e, 6, 6e, and 7, or ISO C/D/E/F standards.

2. Full Range of Functions
Multi-function testers need to accurately measure all relevant characteristics in order to give installers a complete picture of the link under test, and to provide a solid foundation for both certification and troubleshooting. Fundamental requirements include basic wire mapping functions (length, continuity, shorts, opens, etc.), impedance, capacitance, DC loop resistance, attenuation and delay, as well as higher-level functions such as Return Loss and Crosstalk (NEXT and ELFEXT). Testers also must be able to meet both Level II and Level III accuracy requirements at least up through the 250 MHz frequency range.

3. Handle Copper and Fiber
In order to remain competitive, installation contractors must be able to handle both copper and fiber networks. However, they can't afford to deploy completely separate test platforms or invest in extensive training on disparate methodologies. Today there are available test options that allow a copper tester to be adapted for certification by measuring signal loss and length over either multi-mode or single-mode fiber cabling.

4. Built-In Troubleshooting
Whenever a specific test fails, the installer needs to be able to move directly into a comprehensive troubleshooting mode without having to change test instrumentation or reconfigure their set-up. After eliminating obvious fault possibilities that typically occur near the link's endpoints, users need to drill down and locate any anomalies within the link. There are testers available now, for example, that integrate high-end Time Domain Reflectometry (TDR)-like functions to enable users to simply switch into the instrument's Analyze menu and use the TDR's graphical display to interactively pinpoint the exact location and nature of the fault conditions.

5. Fast Setup and Performance
LAN installers can't afford to waste any of their time in the field. The ability to quickly test and certify all network elements represents the key to both their competitiveness and their profitability. Field testers must accommodate this goal by providing fast, efficient, and easy-to-use test suites.

6. Minimizing Cost of Ownership
As much as possible, installers want to limit the need for specialized attachments, such as expensive "permanent link adapters" that are used only during the certification process. And as every installer knows, test adapters wear out and are expensive to replace. With newer testers the installer needs to replace only the reference patchcords — not the adapters. This significantly reduces field hassles and overall cost of ownership by allowing installers to use standard patchcords for the final certification process.

7. Portability, Ruggedness, and Ergonomics
Field test instrumentation isn't worth much unless it can stand up to the rigors and requirements of day-to-day usage in real-world situations. Look for designs that resist even the harshest environmental factors and provide continuous reliable operation in the field. Also, the screens on the main unit and the remote should be bright enough to provide easy-to-read menus and test results, regardless of the surrounding ambient lighting conditions.

8. Seamless Data Management
It's also important to remember that no field test instrument operates in a vacuum, independently of the other management and support processes within the installation contractor's overall operation. Network wiring maps, test results, and certification data first must be stored locally in the test device, after which it needs to be efficiently uploaded into master databases and customer reports.

As the centerpiece of the contractor's LAN installation toolkit, the multi-function tester represents an excellent product for distribution to sell. However, just as the electrical contractor must overcome a learning curve to offer new datacom services, distributors must be prepared to educate themselves to sell datacom products. Trace associations, such as BICSI (www.bicsi.org), are a good place to start the education process.

About the Author
Dan Payerle serves as the Senior Product Manager for DataComm division of IDEAL Industries, Inc. in San Diego, California, where he works to develop new products for the data communications cabling and network test industry. He has been actively involved in the LAN cabling business providing network design, testing, troubleshooting, consulting and training services for a variety of companies over the last decade.

His involvement in the industry began with Wavetek Instruments in San Diego where he provided application support and field assistance to customers of the company's LAN and electrical test equipment division. Later he headed the LAN Division's Systems Test Engineering group before transitioning to the field of on-site training.

Working with several national training companies, Dan developed training programs for copper and fiber optic installation courses, and created curricula for trade schools to use in the process of becoming nationally accredited. Over the past five years, he has trained many hundreds of people in both the private and defense sectors.

For more information, contact the author: Dan Payerle, Ideal Industries, www.idealindustries.com.

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