1. Click to edit Master subtitle style
Chapter 18: Software and Hardware Tools
Click to edit Master subtitle style

2. Chapter 18 Objectives
The Following CompTIA Network+ Exam Objectives Are Covered in This Chapter:
1.5 Install and properly terminate various cable types and connectors using appropriate tools
• Tools
o Cable crimpers
o Punch down tool
o Wire strippers
o Snips
o OTDR
o Cable certifier 2

3. Chapter 18 Objectives
The Following CompTIA Network+ Exam Objectives Are Covered in This Chapter:
2.1 Given a scenario, use appropriate monitoring tools
• Packet/network analyzer
• Interface monitoring tools
• Port scanner
• Top talkers/listeners
• SNMP management software
o Trap
o Get
o Walk
o MIBS
• Alerts o
o SMS
• Packet flow monitoring
• SYSLOG
• SIEM
• Environmental monitoring tools
o Temperature
o Humidity
• Power monitoring tools
• Wireless survey tools
• Wireless analyzers 3

4. Chapter 18 Objectives
The Following CompTIA Network+ Exam Objectives Are Covered in This Chapter:
2.2 Given a scenario, analyze metrics and reports from monitoring and tracking performance tools
• Baseline
• Bottleneck
• Log management
• Graphing
• Utilization
o Bandwidth
o Storage
o Network device CPU
o Network device memory
o Wireless channel utilization 4

5. Chapter 18 Objectives
The Following CompTIA Network+ Exam Objectives Are Covered in This Chapter:
4.2 Given a scenario, analyze and interpret the output of troubleshooting tools
• Line testers
• Certifiers
• Multimeter
• Cable tester
• Light meter
• Toner probe
• Speed test sites
• Looking glass sites
• WiFi analyzer
• Protocol analyzer 5

6. Network Scanners
Network scanner has become a broad term often referring to a family of tools used to analyze our networks
Network scanners refer mainly to these three tools:
Packet sniffers
Intrusion Detection System / Intrusion Prevention System (IDS/IPS) software
Port scanners 6

7. Network Scanners Packet Sniffers
Packet sniffers actually look inside every packet on a network segment.
Packet sniffers come in many flavors, and some of them, like Microsoft’s Network Monitor (NetMon) or Wireshark, are even free
The basic purpose of packet sniffers (or a network analyzer) is to collect and analyze individual packets captured on a specific network segment to determine if problems like bottlenecks, retransmissions, and security breaches are present. 7

8. Network Scanners Intrusion Detection and Prevention Software (IDS/IPS)
IDS detects unwanted attempts to manipulate network systems and/or environments
IPS is a computer-security device that monitors network and/or system activities for strange or malicious behavior
Snort is one of the more popular IDS/IPS software products
Cisco offers an Adaptive Security Appliance (ASA) as a hardware enterprise solution
A stack of Cisco ASA’s potentially protecting a network: 8

9. Network Scanners
Intrusion Detection and Prevention Software (IDS/IPS) implementations are typically placed in the network where you’re most interested in data compromise evaluation:
Internal network
DMZ
Web Server
Firewall
SQL Server
IDS/IPS 9

10. Network Scanners Port Scanners
A port scanner is a software tool designed to search a host for open ports.
A portscan is the act of scanning for Transport Control Protocol (TCP) and UDP open ports on a single target host.
port sweeping means scanning multiple hosts on a network for a specific listening TCP or UDP port 10

11. Network Scanners
A program named Network Mapper (Nmap) can be used as a port scanner 11

12. Network Scanners
Angry IP is a providing both IP-scanning and port-scanning abilities.
Angry IP is not as complex as Nmap and extremely easy to use (a free open source program as well) 12

13. Figure 18.6

14. Figure 18.7

15. Figure 18.8

16. Figure 18.9

18. Figure 18.11

19. Hardware Tools Cable Testers
Cable-testing tools can range from simple, inexpensive mechanical devices to elaborate electronic testers that automatically supply you with test results
An inexpensive cable tester 19

20. Loopback Plug
A loopback test is a diagnostic procedure in which a signal is transmitted and returned to the sending device after passing through all or a portion of a network or circuit 20

21. Hardware Tools Wire-Map Testers
A wire-map tester is a device that transmits signals through each wire in a copper twisted-pair cable to determine if it’s connected to the correct pin at the other end.
Continuity Testers
A continuity tester is an even simpler and less expensive device than a wire-map tester that’s designed to check a copper cable connection for basic installation problems like opens, shorts, and crossed pairs. 21

22. Hardware Tools Protocol Analyzer
A protocol analyzer is often confused with a packet sniffer because some products really are both.
A packet sniffer looks at all traffic on a network segment.
A protocol analyzer analyzes protocols.
Certifiers
Certification testers or certifiers are used to determine whether your network meets specific International Organization for Standardization (ISO) or TIA standards. 22

23. Hardware Tools Time-Domain Reflectometer (TDR)
A time-domain reflectometer (TDR) is a tool that finds and describes faults in metallic cables like twisted wire pairs and coaxial cables.
Optical Time-Domain Reflectometer (OTDR)
An optical time-domain reflectometer (OTDR) is an optoelectronic instrument used to give you information about optical fibers.
We use OTDRs to give us information about the following:
The fiber’s estimated length
Its overall attenuation
The location of faults 23

24. Hardware Tools Multimeter
A multimeter or a multitester (also called a volt/ohm meter [VOM]) is a multitasking electronic measuring instrument.
Used to troubleshoot electrical problems in a wide array of electrical devices like batteries, motor controls, appliances, power supplies, and wiring. 24

25. Hardware Tools Toner Probe
A toner probe, also called a tone generator, is a simple copper cable tester that is simple to use and can be used to trace a wire in a wall. 25

26. Hardware Tools Butt Set
A butt set essentially a portable telephone that allows you to test and monitor analog lines.
Punch-Down Tool
Twisted-pair cable usually terminated in wiring closets using a tool known as a punch-down tool. 26

27. Hardware Tools Cable Stripper/Snips Crimper
A wire crimper, often simply called crimper, is a handy tool found in most network technicians’ tool bags.
Crimpers are primarily used for attaching ends onto different types of network cables via a process known as crimping.
Cable Stripper/Snips
Before you can crimp a connector onto the end of a wire, you have to strip the cable with a type of cable stripper (or snips) and then properly put the wires into the connector. 27

28. Hardware Tools Voltage Event Recorder
A voltage event recorder can troubleshoot and even provide preventative maintenance on your entire electrical system.
Temperature Monitor
Temperature systems can provide multiple sensors feeding data to a single control point.
We can much more accurately track the temperature in our server rooms dynamically in real time.
Line voltage: surge protectors 28

29. Environmental Monitors
Designed to monitor the temperate, humidity, and air flow in an area or in a device.
Temperature /Humidity Monitor
Systems can provide multiple sensors feeding data to a single control point.
We can much more accurately track the temperature in our server rooms dynamically in real time. 29

30. Summary Summary Exam Essentials Section Written Labs Review Questions30