[SOLVED] Which gadget do you use (other than a laptop) to test network continuity from the terminal end of ethernet cable?

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Newtonian

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Sep 9, 2013
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Which gadget do you use to test network continuity from the terminal end of ethernet cable?

I can do that with my laptop, but it's cumbersome. Is there a hand-held gadget with a RJ-45 port that can do that?

I have a NF-488 tester, but it requires you to plug the other end (the router end) with an emitter.
I'm looking for a way to test the continuity without having to plug the other end with an emitter.
 
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Depends on what you mean. You want to plug something into just one end of a cable with nothing connected on the other. That takes a very special and extremely expensive meter (like over $1000) that can actually detect the length of cable by looking at things like signal reflections. Even these the preferrred method is to put a tester on the far end. They also make somewhat cheaper device that will test if the far end is plugged into say a switch or router. This is not as acurrate as using a specail box on the remote end.

You can go to fluke site and see all the cool toys and likely will decide a cheap tool and some inconvenience is a better option.
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The need for an emitter comes from the need to verify that the sent signal is received on the other end. If you send out a signal but have no way of receiving it, how do you know the other end received it? It's akin to you holding a balloon, tethered to a string, towards the wind and letting it go without being able to catch it, it'll go somewhere for sure but you don't know where it's going.

Last time I had to fabricate patch cables, I made sure to get an RJ45 tester, had NS-468 written on it but it comes in different shapes and sizes and models. That made life simpler.
 
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"Ethernet testers" can be had on Amazon for as little as $9.99 (yes, with an emitter). Why wouldn't you want one if you really want to do this?

That said, I'd probably get a slightly better one, but hey, it's better than nothing.
 
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Depends on what you mean. You want to plug something into just one end of a cable with nothing connected on the other. That takes a very special and extremely expensive meter (like over $1000) that can actually detect the length of cable by looking at things like signal reflections. Even these the preferrred method is to put a tester on the far end. They also make somewhat cheaper device that will test if the far end is plugged into say a switch or router. This is not as acurrate as using a specail box on the remote end.

You can go to fluke site and see all the cool toys and likely will decide a cheap tool and some inconvenience is a better option.
 
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