Press
Enter
to store the Cable Type setting and advance to the
next field.
Log Time. The duration of time that the network activity is
recorded in the Log Mode is set in this field. The default setting
is 12 minutes (1 minute per division) and has 7 selections up to
24 hours (2 hours per division). Press
Scroll
to change the Log
Time interval. Press
Enter
to store the Log Time setting and
advance to the next field.
Custom. The Custom field allows users to set the detection
level for cables that deviate from the standard settings. Many
factors affect the amount of signal leakage from a cable. The
settings used by the Net-Advisor in the Cable Type field are
based on extensive tests with different cables from different
manufacturers. The Net-Advisor should be initially checked on
a known good node or segment cable to verify that the settings
are appropriate for that cable type. The instrument has 19 levels
that are changed by pressing
Scroll
. The setting of 1 is the
most sensitive and the setting of 19 is the least sensitive.
Settings should not have to be changed in value by more than 1
or 2 from the default value for that cable type. Press
Enter
to
store the Custom setting and advance to the next field.
Maximum Range. Full scale range is set in this field. The
settings are 1%, 10% (default setting), 50%, 100% and DD%.
DD setting selects a Digital Display format for the Traffic mode
with a fixed full scale range of 100%. Press
Scrol
l to change
the setting. The 1% setting is used when very low traffic levels
are expected. Press
Enter
to store the Maximum Range setting
and advance to the next field.
Alert Level. This field is used to set the threshold level for
generating the Audio alert. The default setting is “ON” which
will produce a tone if traffic is detected during each one second
measurement interval. The setting is changed in 10%
increments by pressing Scroll. Press
Enter
to store the Alert
Level setting and exit the Setup screen. The instrument is now
set to the new selections and automatically returns the user to
the Traffic or Log Screen.
Exit Setup. Press
Enter
5 times (once for each field) to exit
Setup and return to the Traffic or Log Screen. Settings
automatically return to the default settings when the instrument
is powered on.
AC Adapter. An AC adapter is included with the Net-Advisor
for making long duration measurements or extending internal
battery life. The batteries can be left in or removed when the
adapter is used. Warning: Use only the AC adapter provided
with the unit or call the manufacturer for specifications for a
suitable replacement.
The Net-Advisor will operate for approximately 6 to 8 hours
of continuous use on two AA size alkaline batteries. Battery life
decreases when LED and Audio features are active.
RS-232 Oper
RS-232 Oper
RS-232 Oper
RS-232 Oper
RS-232 Opera
aa
a
ation (Net-Ad
tion (Net-Ad
tion (Net-Ad
tion (Net-Ad
tion (Net-Advisor RS Only)
visor RS Only)
visor RS Only)
visor RS Only)
visor RS Only)
The Net-Advisor RS features an RS-232 interface for
downloading traffic measurements to a host computer in an
ASCII, comma separated variable format. The Net-Advisor
utility software graphically displays downloaded data (see
Readme file on diskette). Windows Terminal and Excel are
also compatible with this data format.
Single Download - After collecting data, press
Log
or
Traffic
to “Hold” the data (“
HOLD
” is shown in the top center
of the display). Start the application software on the host
computer and connect the RS-232 cable from the Net-Advisor
to the selected COM port. Setup information and recorded
data is downloaded each time
Enter
is pressed.
Continuous Download - Connect the Net-Advisor to the
selected COM port with the provided RS-232 cable. Each
time the unit is powered On or Setup has been selected the
Net-Advisor configuration is downloaded. Press
Enter
from
either the Log or Traffic Modes to start data transfer with a
one second update rate. With Log or Traffic in “Hold”, press
Enter
to download the last setup and recorded data.
Automatic Power Down
When the Net-Advisor is left in a mode other than Traffic/
Log measurement (time running) or Traffic/Log "Hold", the
unit automatically powers down after 10 minutes to extend
battery life.
Troubleshooting the Net-Advisor
Troubleshooting the Net-Advisor
Troubleshooting the Net-Advisor
Troubleshooting the Net-Advisor
Troubleshooting the Net-Advisor
If the screen is blank, freezes or shows only a partial
stripe across the top of the display, this means the batteries
are installed backwards or need to be changed. Remove
the battery cover, check for proper orientation of the batteries
and slide the cover back on. The unit will now reset on
power up clearing any invalid state. If the screen is still
frozen or only shows a partial stripe, install new batteries.
This product does not contain any user serviceable parts
internal to the case. Opening of the factory sealed case, other
than to replace the batteries, will invalidate the warranty. Contact
HARRIS CORPORATION Dracon Division or your dealer for
warranty and post warranty repairs.
SAFETY
SAFETY
SAFETY
SAFETY
SAFETY
The Net-Advisor is designed for use only with computer
network data cables. At no time should the unit be used on any
other type of cable including power cables.
EXAMPLES OF
EXAMPLES OF
EXAMPLES OF
EXAMPLES OF
EXAMPLES OF
MAN
MAN
MAN
MAN
MANA
A
A
A
AGING NETW
GING NETW
GING NETW
GING NETW
GING NETWORK PERFORMANCE
ORK PERFORMANCE
ORK PERFORMANCE
ORK PERFORMANCE
ORK PERFORMANCE
USING THE Net-Ad
USING THE Net-Ad
USING THE Net-Ad
USING THE Net-Ad
USING THE Net-Advisor
visor
visor
visor
visor
Netw
Netw
Netw
Netw
Networ
or
or
or
ork T
k T
k T
k T
k Trrrrroub
oub
oub
oub
oubleshooting
leshooting
leshooting
leshooting
leshooting
The Traffic Mode of the Net-Advisor quickly alerts the user if
there are any signals passing through the cable or if there are
too many signals passing through the cable. This mode provides
rapid isolation of network problems.
Bandwidth Mana
Bandwidth Mana
Bandwidth Mana
Bandwidth Mana
Bandwidth Manag
g
g
g
gement
ement
ement
ement
ement
The Log Mode is used to measure and record bandwidth
utilization. The histogram of utilization versus time provides the
basis for maintaining or reconfiguring the network. Traffic levels
consistently above 30% of the network rated bandwidth should
be considered for upgrading.
Improper Grounding for Coaxial Cabling
Improper Grounding for Coaxial Cabling
Improper Grounding for Coaxial Cabling
Improper Grounding for Coaxial Cabling
Improper Grounding for Coaxial Cabling
Systems
Systems
Systems
Systems
Systems
Coaxial cables that are not grounded in accordance with
the IEEE 802.3 standard may carry high levels of interfering
signals on the cable shield. This condition can allow coupling
of unwanted signals (noise) on to the network causing erratic
network operation and reduced system performance. Because
these noise signals are strong, the Net-Advisor reads and
displays this in-band noise as if it were traffic. Noise can be
identified on the Net-Advisor as all three of the Traffic bar graphs
will register 80% - 100% utilization.
Intermittent Ca
Intermittent Ca
Intermittent Ca
Intermittent Ca
Intermittent Cab
b
b
b
ble or Connector
le or Connector
le or Connector
le or Connector
le or Connector
Intermittent conditions can be detected with a Net-Advisor by
attaching the instrument to the cable and using the Traffic Mode.
An intermittent connection can be seen by moving the cable to
different positions and watching for the “IN” bar to show no traffic
with the cable in some positions and regular traffic levels in other
positions.
Ex
Ex
Ex
Ex
Excessiv
cessiv
cessiv
cessiv
cessive Ja
e Ja
e Ja
e Ja
e Jab
b
b
b
bber/Br
ber/Br
ber/Br
ber/Br
ber/Broadcast Storms
oadcast Storms
oadcast Storms
oadcast Storms
oadcast Storms
Isolating a node transmitting excessive traffic is accomplished
by using the Net-Advisor in the Traffic Mode. Attach the
instrument to a cable on the segment (preferably near the hub
or patch panel) and disconnect one node or connection at a
time until the “IN” bar or LEDs show a normal traffic level. The
Net-Advisor measures the total traffic on a segment and can be
attached on any cable that is not isolated from the rest of the
segment.
Loading of
Loading of
Loading of
Loading of
Loading of Ser
Ser
Ser
Ser
Servvvvver
er
er
er
ers or W
s or W
s or W
s or W
s or Wor
or
or
or
ork
kk
kksta
sta
sta
sta
stations with
tions with
tions with
tions with
tions with
Multiple Netw
Multiple Netw
Multiple Netw
Multiple Netw
Multiple Networ
or
or
or
ork Interf
k Interf
k Interf
k Interf
k Interface Ada
ace Ada
ace Ada
ace Ada
ace Adapter
pter
pter
pter
ptersssss
Stations with a single network address that have multiple
adapters installed are difficult to monitor for individual adapter
loading. The Net-Advisor used in the Traffic or Log Mode
provides bandwidth utilization for each independent adapter that
is switched or on a separate segment. This measurement can
identify if additional or faster adapters are required.
Identifying Unused Cable Runs
Identifying Unused Cable Runs
Identifying Unused Cable Runs
Identifying Unused Cable Runs
Identifying Unused Cable Runs
As networks grow and change, cable runs may be
disconnected at the remote end but not removed from the
system. Many wiring closets and patch panels contain unused
cables which waste valuable connection points that could be
reconfigured to meet new requirements. The Net-Advisor used
in the Traffic Mode can quickly identify which cables are inactive
by looking for network activity with the IN bar, the LEDs or the
Audio Mode.
JUNE 1998
TS023A and TS024A
N
ET
-
A
DVISOR
and
N
ET
-
A
DVISOR RS
DATA CLAMP
CUSTOMER
SUPPORT
INFORMATION
Call our Technical Support Specialists to
discuss your application.
For 24-hour technical support:
Call
724-746-5500
or fax
724-746-0746
To order: Call 724-746-5500
7:00 AM to 8:00 PM EST
Mail Order:
Black Box Corporation
,
1000 Park Drive, Lawrence, PA 15055-1018
Copyright 1998. Black Box Corporation.
All rights reserved.
1000 Park Drive, Lawrence, PA 15055-1018
724-746-5500
Fax 724-746-0746