Crossover Cable
A crossover cable has the appearance of
a twisted-pair cable. However, this cable is used to connect two
computers together, instead of a computer onto the network. It has a
different pin-out than a straight-through patch cable. Crossover
cables can also be used to connect two hubs or two switches together.
Loopback
Loopback is a method used to verify if
a device, such as a NIC, is working properly. Either an external
loopback adapter or an internal device is attached to the NIC. Data
is sent from the NIC out and looped back in to verify if the data received is the same as
the data transmitted.
Tone Generator and Tone Locator
Tone generators and tone locators are small
handheld devices used to identify wire pairs. Tone
generators, also called fox and hound, are used to perform tests on
phone and network lines by clipping into the wire, terminal panel, or
standard modular jack. By using the fox and hound method, wires can be
identified and traced.
A tone generator is placed at one end
of the twisted pair to identify a cable. An amplifier is placed on the
other end, in the vicinity of the wire, to receive and amplify the
audible signal. Using this technique you can
identify the wire of interest from among the many wires present.
|