Softing IT Networks LinkXpert Manual Download

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LinkXpert Manual English

Version 1.08.22

Summary of Contents for LinkXpert

Page 1: ...LinkXpert Manual English 2022 Softing IT Networks Softing IT Networks Version 1 08 22 ...

Page 2: ...ür entgangenen Gewinn oder andere kommerzielle Schäden die direkt oder indirekt durch dieses Dokument verursacht wurden oder angeblich verursacht wurden Gedruckt July 2022 LinkXpert Manual English 2022 Softing IT Networks All rights reserved No parts of this work may be reproduced in any form or by any means graphic electronic or mechanical including photocopying recording taping or information st...

Page 3: ...orts 19 5 5 Naming and counting scheme 19 5 5 1 Simple Cable Label 20 5 5 2 Free Form 21 5 5 3 None 22 5 6 Profiles 23 5 6 1 Create new profile 24 5 7 Autotest passive wiring 25 5 8 Autotest Ethernet Tests 26 5 9 Tools 27 5 9 1 File manager without USB memory connected 27 5 9 2 Generate reports and copy to USB 28 5 9 3 WLAN Global configuration 28 5 9 3 1 WLAN access point selection M3 30 5 9 3 2 ...

Page 4: ...us 39 6 1 3 DHCP Test 40 6 1 4 Ping Test 40 6 1 5 Duplicate IP 41 6 1 6 Traceroute 42 6 1 7 Network Discovery 43 6 1 8 CDP 44 6 1 9 LLDP 44 6 2 Copper media 45 6 2 1 Wiring diagram 45 6 2 2 Tone Generator 46 6 2 3 PoE Test 47 6 3 Fiber optic media M3 47 6 3 1 VFL Visual Error Locator 48 6 3 2 TX RX 49 6 3 3 Microscope 49 6 4 WLAN Media M3 51 6 4 1 WiFi Scan 51 7 Service und Support 52 0 Index ...

Page 5: ...arranty claims or contractual agreements concerning the products described and in particular cannot be regarded as a guarantee of quality and durability We reserve the right to make changes or improvements to this manual without prior notice The actual design of the products may deviate from the information contained in the manual if technical changes and product improvements make this necessary S...

Page 6: ...ghts reserved No part of this work may be reproduced in any form or by any means graphic electronic or mechanical including photocopying recording or interception without written permission from the publisher Products referred to in this document may be either trademarks and or registered trademarks of their respective owners Issue Date July 2022 ...

Page 7: ... permanent non healable injuries to the eye 2 SFP modules and fiber optic cables M3 Never look directly into SFP modules or at open fiber optic cables with the naked eye as you must always assume that light in the non visible wavelength range can escape This light can cause permanent non healable injuries in the eye and in the worst case can lead to permanent loss of eyesight The crossed out trash...

Page 8: ...upports not only copper but also fiber optic and WLAN networks The following test functions are available for this purpose Function Copper Fiber optics WLAN Phyisical tests Wiring test TP M3 n a n a Length test TP M3 n a n a Tone generator compatible with e g CP15 TP M3 n a n a Red light source 625nm M3 Video microscopy according to IEC 61300 3 35 requires separate video microscope M3 Network test...

Page 9: ...pty 6 Slot for SFP module M3 only 7 White light LED flashlight 8 Red light class I laser 625nm with 2 5mm ferrule M3 only 9 RJ45 connector for cable and network testing 4 3 Selection of the test interface M3 LinkXpert M3 can be connected to copper fiber and WLAN networks To connect the device to fiber optic networks you need optional SFP modules See also specifications To connect the device to WLA...

Page 10: ... Humidity 10 to 80 non condensing Copper cabling Twisted pair RJ45 connector Coax F with optional adapter Connecting cables for further plug faces like M12D M12X and IX as optional accessories Ethernet 10MBit s 100MBit s 1000MBit s 10000Mbit s only detection with copper cables M3 PoE IEEE 802 3af IEEE 802 3at up to class 8 90W Tone generator Built in configurable for TP and coax cabling Flashlight...

Page 11: ...11 LinkXpert Manual English 2022 Softing IT Networks Introduction ...

Page 12: ...erating concept LinkXpert supports 2 basic approaches for testing Ethernet networks and cabling 1 Autotest 2 Individual tests under Tools Autotests are especially useful if the same test sequence is to be repeated often e g for acceptance tests of a new network Single tests are particularly useful when errors are to be found in a network or when only one specific parameter is to be checked on a po...

Page 13: ...us in general and the connection status to WLAN M3 SITE Clicking on Site shows the list of tests in the current directory and allows to create a new Site and switch between Sites PROFILE Clicking PROFILE opens the Profile menu to change or create new profiles Function keys 1 performs an automatic test based on the selected profile 2 calls up the Tools menu in which individual tests can be performe...

Page 14: ...n The table contains all tests included in this SITE Note If a new SITE is created only an empty table is shown as the table must first be filled with measurements Function keys 1 Back to main screen 2 Call up list of existing SITE and manage SITE 3 Create reports see also Reports 19 ...

Page 15: ...reen 2 Create new Site 3 Edit selected site 4 Delete selected site 5 Use selected Site 1 Einmal gelöschte Sites können nicht wiederhergestellt werden Alle darin gespeicherten Tests sind unwiderruflich gelöscht 2 Beachten Sie dass beim Umbenennen von Dateien die Dateiendung NICHT geändert werden darf ansonsten wird die geänderte Datei NICHT mehr aufgelistet da die Dateifilter diese Datei ausblenden...

Page 16: ...ert Manual English 2022 Softing IT Networks Operation 5 3 2 Create a new SITE 1 2 3 4 5 Function keys From the start screen call up Sites and go to Manage Sites Click on function key 2 to create a new Site 13 15 ...

Page 17: ...LinkXpert Manual English 2022 Softing IT Networks Operation 1 2 Function keys Select a profile to use See also Profiles Note You can use multiple profiles in one site Click on function key 2 to continue 23 ...

Page 18: ... Function keys Select the naming and counting scheme to be used for storing tests See also Profiles Note the naming and counting scheme cannot be changed later Click on function key 2 to continue For the further procedure please go to Naming and counting scheme 23 19 ...

Page 19: ...re created via the menu SITE see also SITE Go to the menu SITE and select a site Then click to create a report LinkXpert summarizes all tests in the SITE in this report The tests are stored in the internal memory Go to Copy files to USB to Function keys 1 Return to home screen 2 Open the list of SITE 3 Goto Report Menu 5 5 Naming and counting scheme See also Rebuild Sites 28 16 ...

Page 20: ...ice 002 Office 003 None Before each test the user can freely assign a name for an auto test The test is then saved with this name and an ascending number The ascending number is used here to safely distinguish test data e g Office A 001 Room 3 002 Corridor B 003 Office A 004 Function keys 1 Back one menu level higher 2 Further configure selected counting form 5 5 1 Simple Cable Label In this setti...

Page 21: ...2 Funktionstasten In this counting scheme a fixed component of the name can be selected followed by a and a 3 digit consecutive counter Enter the fixed part of the name in the first field In the 2nd field enter the first variable component Example Dose 001 Dose 002 Dose 003 Dose 004 ...

Page 22: ... Bildschirm werden die gewählten Einstellungen nochmals gezeigt Funktionstasten 1 Zurück eine Menu Stufe höher 2 Ausgewählte Einstellungen verwenden 5 5 3 None In this mode no counting scheme is specified The tester requests a name for the current test series before each jump to the Autotest menu ...

Page 23: ...rks The lower area of the screen shows the most important settings and parameters of the selected profile Function keys 1 return to the Home screen 2 create another profile 3 edit a profile 4 delete a profile 5 activate a selected profile Remark You can only edit or delete profiles as long as no autotest has been performed with this profile As soon as an autotest has been performed the associated ...

Page 24: ...te a profile for a network test or a cabling test Select the desired interface at Media Note For LinkXpert TP only the copper interface is available In the lower part of the screen you can select and deselect certain tests Please note the selection option depends on the mode and media With you can make further settings of the respective test parameter See also Individual tests Function keys 1 Back...

Page 25: ...2 3 4 Funktionstasten In the wiring test module the device displays the wiring diagram with lengths Function keys 1 Return to main screen 2 List of tests in this SITE 3 Run this test again under the same test name The existing results will be discarded 4 Perform a new test with a new test name ...

Page 26: ... to several minutes Do not disconnect from the network during the test so that the final result of the test is not affected Tests are automatically saved at the end of the autotest By clicking on a single test the results of a single test are listed Function keys 1 Back to the main screen 2 List of tests in this SITE 3 Run this test again under the same test name The existing results will be disca...

Page 27: ...ndividual tests for copper networks Click on to enter the single testsfor fiber optic networks M3 Click on to access the individual tests for WLAN aser networks M3 See also individualtests for more details 5 9 1 File manager without USB memory connected 1 2 3 In the file manager you can filter by different file formats delete or rename files The following filters are available TST compresses measu...

Page 28: ...ers are available TST compresses measurement results PDF Test reports in PDF format CSV test reports in CSV format XML test reports in XML format Using the button you can copy selected files to the connected USB memory Function keys 1 Back one menu level higher 2 Delete selected file 3 Rename selected file 4 Copy selected files from the USB memory to the device 1 Once deleted files can not be rest...

Page 29: ...m settings under network 3 The WLAN settings are global settings 1 CAUTION for networks consisting of multiple access points Unlike conventional smartphones or laptops LinkXpert connects to one physical access point i e to one of the network s BSSIDs It will NOT automatically jump to another BSSID if the physical hardware becomes unreachable The reason for this is that LinkXpert puts more focus on...

Page 30: ...ten In the upper part of the screen you will see the list of visible access points In the lower part of the screen you can see the details of a selected access point Function keys 1 Manual configuration of an access point 2 Previously saved access point forgotten 3 Regenerate the list of access points 4 Select access point ...

Page 31: ...ield contains the name of the access point selected by the user Wifi Passwort Enter the password for the access point here Show Password Displays the password as plain text Save Password Saves the password in the password list Function keys 1 LinkXpert tries to connect to the access point 2 The menu is exited without connection ...

Page 32: ...cially available VNC viewer 1 If LinkXpert cannot connect to the selected access point the menu will be left without connection 5 9 4 System settings The system settings of the LinkXpert are globally effective and independent of test profiles only the desired Ethernet speed and DHCP setting can be overridden by a profile 5 9 4 1 Time The following settings can be made 1 Date and time 2 Date and ti...

Page 33: ...33 LinkXpert Manual English 2022 Softing IT Networks Operation 5 9 4 3 Language 1 Funktionstasten Select the desired language here Function keys 1 Back one menu level higher ...

Page 34: ...y allows the selection of the used Ethernet speeds DHCP VLAN allows the configurations for DHCP and the used VLAN 5 9 4 5 MAC settings MAC addresses Media Access Control Address also Media Access Code are unique addresses of a device connected to Ethernet The copper interface and fiber interface M3 share a MAC address The WLAN interface M3 has its own MAC address Default Custom Function keys 1 Bac...

Page 35: ...e done by specialists who are familiar with this topic and know the consequences for the network under investigation It is strongly recommended to leave the MAC address settings on Default if you do not have the necessary knowledge about MAC addresses and the network to be examined Incorrect MAC address configurations can lead to serious network errors such as data loss or device malfunctions 5 9 ...

Page 36: ...s in meters m and feet ft 5 9 4 8 Firmware Update To upgrade the firmware of the device perform the following steps 1 Connect the LinkXpert to the supplied power supply IMPORTANT Do NOT disconnect the power supply during the upgrade 2 Copy the new firmware version to a USB memory stick and insert the memory stick into the USB slot of the device The file name should have the following format Linkxp...

Page 37: ...tart the device manually After the upgrade the device will reboot and display the main screen Do not disconnect the device from the power supply during the upgrade and do not restart the device manually as this may cause damage to the device 5 9 4 9 Factory settings If the factory setting is selected the following actions are performed 1 All custom profiles will be deleted 2 All Sites 3 All test r...

Page 38: ...ü DHCP Test ü ü ü Ping test ü ü ü Duplicate IP Scanner ü ü ü Traceroute ü ü ü Network Participants List ü ü ü CDP LLDP ü ü ü VFL Red Light Source ü TX RX ü ü Microscope ü WiFi Scan ü 1 Settings for the respective individual tests can be made directly in Tools mode 2 Settings for each test in Autotest mode are set via the profile 3 The following tests cannot be performed in Autotest mode Tone Gener...

Page 39: ...eys 1 Back one menu level higher 2 Change settings Make link LED flash for 10MBit s Link LED for 100MBit s flashing Make Link LED blink for 1GBit s 3 Trigger test 6 1 2 Link Status 1 2 Function keys Link Status Please note 1 For copper and fiber networks the Link LED will also light up when connected to the network See also Device Connections 2 For WLAN networks the connection is only indicated by...

Page 40: ...network see also Link Status Network for all media and WLAN Global Configuration Function keys Tools module only 1 Back one menu level higher 2 Start test 6 1 4 Ping Test In the PingTest The table shows the ping targets and the ping s sent TX and received RX replies Prerequisite is that the device can connect to the network and has a valid IP address see also Link Status Network DHCP for all media...

Page 41: ...he device can connect to the network and has a valid IP address see also Link Status Network DHCP for all media and WLAN Global Configuration Function keys Tools module only 1 Back one menu level higher 2 Start test The device can search for IP address duplicates passively and actively In passive mode the device only monitors the data stream and reports when IP duplicates are found In active mode ...

Page 42: ...ws a list of intermediate stations hops with the corresponding time delays and the address of the intermediate station Prerequisite is that the device can connect to the network and has a valid IP address see also Link Status Network DHCP for all media and WLAN Global Configuration Function keys Tools module only 1 Back one menu level higher 2 Select destination address The destination address can...

Page 43: ... has a valid IP address see also Link Status Network DHCP for all media and WLAN Global Configuration Function keys Tools module only 1 Back one menu level higher 2 Settings IPV4 or IPV6 Listen or Scan mode The device can passively listen on the network or actively scan for devices The advantage of the passive mode is that LinkXpert itself does not send IP packets the disadvantage of the passive m...

Page 44: ...CP for all media and WLAN Global Configuration Function keys Tools module only 1 Back one menu level higher 2 Start new test 6 1 9 LLDP In the LLDP test LinkXpert lists LLDP responses of the connected switch LLDP is the Link Layer Discovery Protocol according to which compatible switches send out information about the switch port used and the switch itself at regular intervals The content and freq...

Page 45: ...the reference plane for the length measurement can be set If the first patch cable is to be included in the length calculation Set Reference should be performed WITHOUT the patch cable If the first patch cable is not to be included in the length calculation the cable must be connected at Set Reference Function keys Only in Tools mode 1 Back one menu level higher 2 Change wiring diagram settings Yo...

Page 46: ...ly available in the Tools menu 1 2 Function keys The built in tone generator is compatible with analog cable locators such as Softing CP15 This menu is only accessible in the Tools module You can send the search tone either on single or all pairs Function keys 1 Back one menu level higher 2 Start tone generator ...

Page 47: ...y type power class and the minimum and maximum voltage applied at load are tested Function keys Tools module only 1 Back one menu level higher 2 Change settings Mode AUTO automatically detect highest PoE class and perform PoE test Mode Manual select a special PoE Test and perform PoE Test Mode Quick Auto Select multiple PoE classes and perform PoE Test 3 Start new test 6 3 Fiber optic media M3 The...

Page 48: ...or fiber optic connectors with 1 25mm ferrule such as LC connectors Softing recommends the use of either adapter cables from 2 5mm to 1 25mm e g SC to LC cable or the use of an adapter 226542 Function keys 1 Back one menu level higher 2 Switch red light source ON OFF 1 The red light source is a class I laser source with a power 1mW Do not look directly into the laser light with unprotected eyes as...

Page 49: ...ule as well as information about the SFP module are read out The transmit and receive values are output in mW and can be used to diagnose SFP modules and fiber optic links Function keys 1 Back one menu level higher 2 Start test 1 Not all SFP modules output their TX and RX values 2 To read out the TX and RX values Softing recommends to use the SFP modules offered by Softing 6 3 3 Microscope This fu...

Page 50: ...of the live image in color and in Note that you can only perform a connector check if the bar graph shows green No check is possible when the bar graph is yellow or red Adjust the image sharpness with the setting wheel of the microscope until you see a clearly sharp image and green bar The aim is to set the image sharpness close to 100 Function keys 1 Back one menu level up 2 Settings a Selection ...

Page 51: ...cturers are not compatible The fiber optic microscope is an optional accessory 6 4 WLAN Media M3 The following tests are only available for WLAN media 6 4 1 WiFi Scan 1 2 Function keys In the WiFi Scan test LinkXpert M3 scans the 2 4 and 5 GHz bands for access points and lists the access points Note that the included WiFi USB stick 226586 must be used for this The USB stick is compatible with 802 ...

Page 52: ... 6019 E mail asia sales itnetwork softing com Softing Shanghai Room 416 4 F Mytech Intelligence Park No 1999 East Jinxiu Road Pudong District 201206 Shanghai China Phone 86 21 61063031 E mail china sales itnetwork softing com Europe Middle East Africa Softing IT Networks GmbH Richard Reitzner Alle 6 D 85540 Haar Munich Phone 49 89 45 656 660 E mail info itnetworks softing com Softing SRL 87 Rue du...

Page 53: ...53 LinkXpert Manual English 2022 Softing IT Networks Service und Support ...

Page 54: ...54 LinkXpert Manual English 2022 Softing IT Networks Back Cover ...

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