Network Test Equipment
Every computer network is distinctive and is prone to various challenges, which may help to guarantee the correct transmission today and tomorrow. It is critical for the network administrator to analyse the network hardware equipments and network software to obtain a sense for smooth transmission, often called a baseline. In the instance that errors occur, the network administrator may be competent enough to determine from the indicator lights or by using network test equipments where the source of the transmission error originates. For instance, the network administrator would effortlessly recognize if indicator lights were out that are supposed to be on. Furthermore, the administrator should be suspicious of an error if the indicator lights on the network test equipment take on some unusual pattern (Mansfield & Antonakos, 2009). Some test network equipment will give a real-time simulation of the network data flow, which aid the network administrator to monitor data flow as well the exact location where the data terminated. What is critical about network test equipments is that they must be compliant the network protocols and standards, and they must be in conformity with the government restriction in the country they are used.
Computer network testing comprises of examining every terminal and links in the network, including cables, switches, and servers to make sure every component are in a working condition. The components can be systematically tested one at a time or by testing the whole network. This is because a network component can function alone, but experiences a compatibility matters when linked with other network devices. There are also various issues to be considered in a network to ensure its efficiency. Computer networks administrator should schedule a regular network testing, particularly when new network components are introduced into the network.
Computer network testing can normally get complex, but with the right network testing equipment, it is easier. A computer network is like a weak chain, and an exposed link can snub the whole connection. Computer network testing serve a purpose of locating a weak section before the net efficiency or a security threat occur. Network administrators normally use Network test equipment in testing, probing, as well as examining a computer network and telephone network system. Several diverse types of network testing equipment are accessible today. Examples of test equipment are such as breakout boxes, Bit-Error Rate (BER) equipments. A network tester comprises of tone producer and a probe. It uses these features to establish whether a cable is going through or whether it is interruption and where. Network testers have three signal modes: lamp mode, speaker mode or both. Local Area Network (LAN) test equipments have beep sound warning to shows that the network is not working efficiently. Breakout boxes are multiconductor equipments useful in analysing and analysing network signals, for instance timing signals, data flow signals, as well as network control signals.
On the other hand, Bit-Error Rate analyzers are network equipments or processes that compute and analyse the BER for specific data broadcast. Characteristically, network administrators would calculate the BER value as ten to a negative power in order that, for instance, a BER value of 10-9 will give an error margin of one bit for every data flow of one Gigabit, which means the network transmits or receives one bit with an error. Just like Network analysers, Local Area Network (LAN) analyzers examine data flow on a computer network. This computer network test components gather data about packets loads, how many packets, error packets, general efficiency of a link, how many hosts per network, and the Media Access Control (MAC) of each host. In addition, the network test equipment also takes into consideration detailed information about communication sessions between and other network components. The details about interactions between network components help the network administrator to analyse the functionality of the existing network. Some network test components rely on previous or last known working condition of the network to analyse and predict network errors (GlobalSpec, 2012).
In using test equipment for overwhelmingly complicated network hardware problems, for instance intermittent links, it may be advisable to make use of advanced test equipment, such as a cable tester (UTP) for cable networks, time domain reflectormeter (TDR) for coax networks, optical TDR in case of fibre optic network links, or a network analyser (Oliviero & Woodward, 2009). After the network analyser has properly used a piece of test equipment, its functionality will be reliable, and this will assist in diagnosing an error. For instance, if a network analyser just connects an RJ-45 onto the end of a UTP wire and the network cable tester indicates a reversed pair, then he should rely on the cable tester results. The network administrator may examine the connector and perceive that all the cable colours are in place, but looks cannot be precise, and the network test equipment is accurate.
Normally, a network administrator may set network rules and protocols during network installation. These rules or protocols may prevent some networks components or users from violating the network. Although this is a security procedure, it may bring the whole network. Network protocols help in putting in place network rules, and they are vital tools that help network test equipment in analysing the network functionality.
There are various other sets of network test equipments, which uses network protocols to analyse how the network transmit information. These are like network protocol analysers, telephone testers, network tone tracers, and tone analysers. Protocol test equipments take all the data traffic on a network, parse the data as per the regulations of the installed protocols, and outputs the results of the analysis. Some of the network protocols comprise of the following:
Asynchronous Transfer Mode (ATM) protocol is a complex data transmission protocol combining both video and voice. Therefore, network test equipment needs to note of the ATM’ data complexity. This protocol is a connection-oriented protocol. An appropriate network testing equipment would be required to handle all the data about variable length frames.
Ethernet protocol and its several variants, these allow the Ethernet network to work with one Ethernet system in a computer unaware of what is happening in the high-level protocols of another network component.
Fiber Distributed Data Transfer (FDDI) protocol, this is equipped with all reliability features to offer error-detection, isolation and monitoring and testing. This makes the work of network test equipment to be easier in analysing the network efficiency.
Frame Relay protocol, this offers a set of protocols such as frame format, interface, and a protocol stack.
Integrated Services Digital Network protocol is the first ever protocol to accommodate the digital transmission of voice and data over standard communication lines.
Point-to-Point protocol (PPP) PPP network testing equipment is required for both internet service providers and network testing equipment manufacturers to monitor the network transmission.
Serial-Line Internet Protocol (SLIP) is a streams-oriented networking protocol that offers to establish a connection between serial lines.
Synchronous Optical Network protocol (SONET) is a synchronous high-speed data transmission over fiber optic network. The network testing equipment for this technology must conform to the technology standards as well as the American standards of network components.
Protocol test equipments are also available for T1 links, TCP/IP network connections, as well as various other communications links. Telephones analyzers are network test equipments available for the purpose of telephone lines and telecommunications links. Network analysts normally outsource these network test equipments as kits or modules. Network specialist often use Tone simulators are to examine and track the tone in any telecommunication links. Tone generators simulate the tone in telecommunication network. Therefore, the caretaker of the network communication can easily locate and rectify errors in the network using these network test equipment. Furthermore, these equipments help much in setting up a secured and error free communication link or session. The set protocols help the system detect the possible errors in the network (GlobalSpec, 2012).
Network test equipment varies in modes of form factor, network interface port, type of network, characteristics, as well as regulatory conformity. Variants for form factor comprise of hand held testers, notebook, desktop computer, rack mount component, integrated circuit (IC) component or chip, and also, a component which is common, printed circuit board (PCB). In the case of interface port, there are various options for it, comprising of Bayonet Neil-Concelman (BNC) network component. There are also standards for interface ports, for instance IEEE 1394 or FireWire (in case of Apple interface port), G.73, G.704, parallel connection standards, RJ-45 standards, RS232, RS422, as well as the recently common Universal Serial Bus (USB) standard connectors. When network characteristics are considered, some network test equipment accommodates remote control slot, a printer slot, visual simulators, peripheral clocking, or user-friendly pattern testing. In addition, wireless network test equipment is also universally accessible in the market. This is because, recently, there has been a rising trend in the wireless network components. When compliance comes into play, network test equipment that is meant for the European Union (EU) markets should take into consideration both the Restriction of Hazardous Substances (RoHS) as well as Waste Electrical and Electronics Equipment (WEEE) regulations (GlobalSpec, 2012).
In conclusion, network testing equipment varies according to the network setup. Network administrator’s usually use Network test equipment in testing, analysing, as well as examining a computer network and telephone network system. Network testing equipments for LAN cannot be compared WAN testing equipments. This is because of the various protocols and standards found the two network setups. Network test equipment comprise of various features according to their functionality. This comprises of products such as protocol examiners, tone tracers and in case of any error in the communication link, there is a product that can generate a tone to indicate that there is an error. The choice of a network testing equipment is based on the type of network or interface port available, either IEEE, parallel, FireWire, USB, or standard connection. Finally, the network testing equipment must be in conformity with the type of network available as well as the government set regulation in the country of operation.
References
Gallo, M. A. & Hancock, B. (2002). Networking Explained. 2nd Ed. New York: Digital Press.
GlobalSpec Inc. (2012). Network Test Equipment Information. Retrieved from
http://www.globalspec.com/learnmore/communications_networking/networking_equipment/network_test_equipment
Mansfield, K. C. & Antonakos, J. L. (2009). Computer networking from LANs to WANs:
hardware, software and security. New York: Cengage Learning.
Oliviero, A. & Woodward B. (2009). Cabling: The Complete Guide to Copper and Fiber
Optic Networking. 4th Ed. New York: John Wiley and Sons.
