Repair Tools

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Contents 1 Network Repair and Maintenance Tools 2 Crimping Tool 3 Punch Down Tool 4 TDR Tool 5 Tone Generator 6 Oscilloscope 7 Network and Performance Monitoring Tools 8 Quick Review 9 Answers

[edit section] Network Repair and Maintenance Tools

The Network+ exam will cover some of the physical tools that network technicians use to repair, configure, troubleshoot, and maintain networks. Should you become a true network technician, you will no doubt some day have a need for these tools. While this portion of the exam is arguably one of the least covered in terms of number of questions, you will likely see at least two or three questions on this subject. So, it is to your benefit as a future test-taker and technician to learn all about these tools.

[edit section] Crimping Tool

A crimping tool, or a “crimper” as it is widely known, is a small tool that allows you to connect media to a connector. For example, many companies need long CAT5 media with RJ-45 connectors for traditional 100BaseTX Ethernet. Instead of purchasing this long media at a discount media outlet, the company will instead use a long CAT5 media and crimp RJ45 connectors on each end of the media, which can be cheaply obtained from various home improvement stores. This saves money and time. Most crimping tools are used for twisted pair wires; to crimp connectors onto twisted pair cabling, you “untwist” the twisted pair so that all of the wires are able to be chosen individually. Next, you place the wires snugly into the appropriate “hole,” which is actually a plated connector. Finally, when all of the wires are securely in place, use the crimp tool to “punch” the connector onto the wire.

[edit section] Punch Down Tool

A punch down tool is used to affix an untwisted twisted-pair cable onto a fixed connector, such as a wall jack, switch board, or like device. Each individual wire is connected to the appropriate spot on the connector by being “punched” onto it. A punch down tool will usually make a click when punched down.

[edit section] TDR Tool

A TDR, or Time Domain Reflectometer, is a simple tool with a complex name. All this does is send a signal down the wire and time how long it takes for the signal to bounce back. This tool might be used in assessing media issues, like shorts or breaks in wires.

[edit section] Tone Generator

This tool is used to identify a cable by the tone generated and is usually used with twisted pair cabling.

[edit section] Oscilloscope

An oscilloscope can test media for shorts and other issues. It however does not time a signal’s reflection, making it different from a TDR tool.

[edit section] Network and Performance Monitoring Tools

These tools can be used to establish what is known as a “baseline,” or a control group in identifying network performance issues and troubleshooting network problems. These tools typically track network traffic, use, utilization, and other indicators.

[edit section] Quick Review

1. Which of the following tools might be used to establish a baseline for network performance?

a. Performance Monitoring Tool

b. Baseline Establishing Tool

c. Oscilloscope

d. NAT

e. Crimper

2. Which of the following tools would be used to attach a connector to media?

a. Network Monitoring Tool

b. Reflectometer

c. Crimper

d. Punch Down Tool

e. DHCP Tool

[edit section] Answers

1. Only a performance monitoring tool (from the choices listed) would be an appropriate answer to the question, as it establishes a baseline for network performance. The answer is A.

2. A crimper attaches a connector to media. The answer is C.