LAN and Telecom Cabling why use an expesive cable tester

What is the main difference between something like a fluke
dsp 4000 series and this http://www.broadbandutopia.com/validator.html .

We are going to pull around 150-200 data drops. The majority of those
drops will be for voice and 100Mbps connections. Maybe around 20 will
need to be good enough for gigabit speeds. We have no plans for VoIP.

Would the less expensive tester be able to tell me if a cable
is going to be able to do 100 Mbps? Can it tell me if giga bit
speeds are possible?

I'm sure there is a reason that people buy $6k testers. I just don't
know enough about cable testing/installation to understand what I
would be loosing by not using the more expensive tester. Any info
would be greatly appreciated.

-Ram

On Sat, 15 Sep 2007 22:00:59 -0700, rambham@gmail.com wrote:


No


No

If a cheap tester tells you that your cable sucks, it does.
That's all you can expect from a cheap tester.
It cannot tell you, that the cable passes. Simply, because a
cheap tester can only detect very basic flaws.
If your cheap tester says 'Go' you are no wiser than without a
tester. (I.e. as with only visual inspection: "it looks good to
me".)


Why are you laying cables ? To play net-packman or to make money?
What pricetag can you attach to say 6 hours downtime 'because
some cable connection fails' ?

Then, you will be able to see how expensive a cheap cabletester
really is :-)

By the way: for the same reason, hire a professional to do your
cabling :-)

--
Kind regards,
Gerard Bok

As far as the less expensive tester (the JDSU) from the online specs it
would appear as though some important 100Mbps requirements are not included
such as ELFEXT, and PSum (possibly others).  This is incomplete and does not
completely certify a 100Mbps installation. The more expensive Fluke model
does test for these requirements.

For Gigabit installations, the less expensive model does not include
necessary tests for certification (again from their online specs.  The Fluke
appears to cover all required specifications.

In general, I would say the less expensive model would cover "most" of the
100Mbps requirements and could be used to test these installations.  I would
not use if for Gigabit installations.




The reason is to make sure you get it right.  For big jobs there is more at
stake.  Also, the customer will want verification of testing and will likely
look for ALL pertinent test results.

rambham@gmail.com wrote:


I believe there are places that will rent the expensive testers.


The http://www.broadbandutopia.com/validator.html  tester looks
pretty good, though.  It might be that some of the price for
the Fluke tester is for the name.  The DSP4000 also does fiber,
which the broadbandutopia might not do.  Some Fluke testers
(I don't know which ones) will also do 10Gig ethernet.


Maybe the same reason people buy name brand products in general.
Fluke does make good equipment.  It might stand dropping on
concrete floors, for example.  (Likely to happen sometimes
in the testing process.)

-- glen

rambham@gmail.com wrote in part:

Whether you test or not depends on your particular situation,
particularly the cost of failures vs capital cost.  Testing
will cost some money:  a small bit directly for the testing,
and a much larger amount by limiting the available contractors.

Sometimes it's  typical office running unlocked MS-Windows machines
and dubiously adminstrated servers, and the only loss for downtime
is people taking a coffee break.  Then the $20/drop might not
be justified.  4 k$ pays for quite a few truck-rolls.

Othertimes it's a room full of CSRs running more reliable
apps on servers that get real attention because downtime
means lost customers.  Then you'd better test!

It might also depend on how challenging the installation is:
age of building, length and  openness of runs.  And what sort
of installers you get.  Beware the electrician!

When dealing with bellicose customers, a smart contractor will test
runs (even if not specified) to have clear deniability.  There is a
BBB so customers can check out suppliers.  Fine.  We need a BCB so
suppliers can check out customers!  Credit bureaus are slim comfort.

-- Robert