Released on May 4, the LinkIQ™ Cable+Network Tester (LinkIQ) from Fluke Networks simplifies network troubleshooting when building or maintaining networks. Rugged, reliable and accurate, the LinkIQ™ features a gesture-based touchscreen making it easy to use and display information.
The product provides simple pass/fail test reports using the company’s innovative LinkWare™ PC Cable Test Management Software. Besides, it can verify the performance of switches, including those that provide Power over Ethernet (PoE).
“New technologies such as 10 Gb/s Ethernet and expanded Power over Ethernet are at the core of today’s networks,” said Walter Hock, Vice President Products of Fluke. “Whether it’s an installer who needs to ensure error-free operation and document their work or a trouble shooter supporting advanced devices, they both need a tool that combines support for today’s advanced technologies with an ease of use that saves time and a price that means it can be widely deployed.”
Single-Test
The LinkIQ is based on a single-test approach that automatically delivers the appropriate measurements based on what is at the other end of the cable. For an open cable, it shows the length and pairing. If this is terminated with the supplied remote, the test result shows the maximum data rate the cable can support – up to 10 Gb/s. However, if the cable is connected to a switch port, LinkIQ will show the name of the switch plus the port name, VLAN, speed, and duplex. If PoE is advertised, it will display the power and class (up to 90 W or Class 8) and then load the switch to verify the power can be delivered.
Simple reporting
The LinkIQ uses LinkWare™ PC, which is Fluke Networks’ reporting software. LinkWare™ supports a variety of testers going back 20 years and is the industry’s de facto standard reporting solution. The simplest way to manage report data is with a free copy of LinkWare™. The results from a wide variety of Fluke products can be stored and accessed, or PDF reports may be generated using the software.
Specific Feedback
“The LinkIQ is professional, intuitive, easy to use and very quick to return results. The device has an easy-to-read screen and delivers a precise bullet point summary of key information,” said Russell Queenan of Thorntons Communications. “The real benefit of using the LinkIQ was the ability to challenge the capability of the old CAT5 cabling that we had not installed. This allowed me to advise the customer about which switch to upgrade based on those results. I knew it was good for 5G speeds, but anything above that then the sockets, cabling and patch panels would need upgrading. The notetaking and reporting functionality of the LinkIQ is extremely valuable.”
Dual-Purpose
Martin Whitefoot, Project Manager at Splice Group said: “We used the LinkIQ for large installs to verify structured cabling from point to point, to test the correct ID terminates it, or to check the speed of the cabling. The LinkIQ tester is user friendly and it performs the job of two devices that our staff would have used previously, which saves time and costs.”
