1. Wired and Wireless Troubleshooting
By: Ron Groulx

2. Why is Field Testing Important?
Field testing not only speeds up problem resolution, but also prevents problems from happening altogether
Affirmation that the end user receives a system that meets the speed and quality he/she expects (and is paying for)
Verify the components meet the specified performance requirements
Verify the installation has been performed with Quality workmanship

3. Copper Cable Testing – Wire Tracing
Works with any 2 conductor copper cables
Basic Continuity testing
Distance to open
These levels do not deliver the actual category ratings, however, they can be used on practically any category rated system for maintenance

4. Copper Cable Testing - COAX
Attenuation:
Signal Loss
Opens, Shorts,
Distance to Faults
These levels do not deliver the actual category ratings, however, they can be used on practically any category rated system for maintenance
TDR:
Time
Domain Reflectometry

5. Copper Cable Testing – UTP Qualification
Continuity (Opens, Shorts)
Wiremap (Split Pairs, Skew)
Length, Distance to Fault (TDR)
Signal Attenuation
Tests for disturbance (ie: Crosstalk, Return Loss)
Transmits data to application limits (ie: 1000BASE-TX)
These levels do not deliver the actual category ratings, however, they can be used on practically any category rated system for maintenance

6. Causes of UTP Crosstalk Failures
• Poor twisting at connection points
• Poorly matched plug and jack (Category 5-to-6)
• Poor quality patch cords
• Defective connectors
• Defective cable
• Split pairs
• Excessive noise source adjacent to cable/connection points
• Excessive compression caused by plastic cable ties
These levels do not deliver the actual category ratings, however, they can be used on practically any category rated system for maintenance

7. Physical Infrastructure - Field Testing
Cabling Standards – Focus: Installation Quality
The most generic model of the end-to-end link allows for two connections near either end of the installed link. This allow for a cross-connect patch panel in the telecommunication room (Floor distributor) and for a “Consolidation point” or MUTO near the work area.
Many link implementations only use one connection in the Telecom Room; the connecting arrangements in this case is called “interconnect” rather than cross-connect. The configuration that includes a CP has become very popular with the deployment of modular office walls (“cubicle farms”)and flexible office space arrangements. The use of a CP connection provides flexibility when the modular furniture (or “cubicles”) are to be rearranged. The cabling only needs to be dismantled and then reinstalled to the CP rather than having to be reinstalled or rerouted from the Telecom Room.
The maximum length of this end-to-end link is 100 m while the maximum length of the horizontal cable (excluding the patch cords at either end) is 90 m.
This model is called the ‘Channel’ in the TIA or ISO standards. Note that in the cabling standards the end connectors are not part of the channel. The performance of these end connectors – at one end the connector that is inserted into the Hub or Switch and at the other end the connector that is inserted into the PC NIC card – is determined by the matching connector in these electronic devices.

8. TIA Link Definition: “Channel”
End-to-end link
Equipm.
Cord
The most generic model of the end-to-end link allows for two connections near either end of the installed link. This allow for a cross-connect patch panel in the telecommunication room (Floor distributor) and for a “Consolidation point” or MUTO near the work area.
Many link implementations only use one connection in the Telecom Room; the connecting arrangements in this case is called “interconnect” rather than cross-connect. The configuration that includes a CP has become very popular with the deployment of modular office walls (“cubicle farms”)and flexible office space arrangements. The use of a CP connection provides flexibility when the modular furniture (or “cubicles”) are to be rearranged. The cabling only needs to be dismantled and then reinstalled to the CP rather than having to be reinstalled or rerouted from the Telecom Room.
The maximum length of this end-to-end link is 100 m while the maximum length of the horizontal cable (excluding the patch cords at either end) is 90 m.
This model is called the ‘Channel’ in the TIA or ISO standards. Note that in the cabling standards the end connectors are not part of the channel. The performance of these end connectors – at one end the connector that is inserted into the Hub or Switch and at the other end the connector that is inserted into the PC NIC card – is determined by the matching connector in these electronic devices.
HORIZONTAL CABLE
Cross-connect Panel
Equipment Panel or Telecom Outlet

9. TIA Link Definition: “Permanent Link”
Tester Adapter Cords
Permanent Link
Consolidation Point
(optional)
Patch Panel
TO or Panel
Reference
Unknown ?
The Permanent Link: the permanent part of the cabling infrastructure.

10. Fiber Optics – Loss Testing
Source
Meter
850 nm
1300 nm
Remote
Main
Calculate the total optical loss budget of the fiber link
- maximum attenuation of fiber per km
- maximum allowable loss per connection
- maximum allowable loss per splice
• The most thorough test measures the loss at
both wavelengths that could be used
• Fibers can be tested two strands at once to speed up testing and calculate length
• Dual strand testers can provide bi-directional testing without changing orientation of test sets

11. Fiber Optics – OTDR TRACES
severe bend

12. Fiber Optics – end face inspection
Dirt is everywhere:
Floating in the air
Oil on skin
Inside dust caps
As data increases, loss budgets get tighter
Less tolerance for loss through connectors due to contamination
EVERYONE working with fibre should be inspecting & cleaning end-faces
Dirty End-Faces Cause 85% of Gig Fibre Cable Failures*
* Source: Third-party survey commissioned by Fluke Networks
250x Magnification

13. Most Common Wi-Fi Problems
11/24/2018
Poor Coverage
RF Interference
Overloaded Networks
Connectivity Problems
Access Point/Device Failures
Rogue Access Points
Security Settings
Now that we have heard from some frustrated customers, let take a look at some common Wi-Fi problems:
As you can see there are quiet a few!
Lets start with client problems – can a user even get on their wireless network
Coverage problems – are their dead spots in the facility or is the wireless coverage adequate in all locations?
Are the wireless networks overloaded or improperly designed? Is everyone getting the speed they require?
Is interference causing problems with the wireless networks? Maybe a user can’t connect – why not? Is it interference?
Are there rogue devices in the network which are causing security nightmares?
And is the wireless network properly secured or is it open to hackers?
This covers just a few of the problems but as you can see there’s a lot of issues for an IT department to deal with. 13

14. 11/24/2018
Now that we have heard from some frustrated customers, let take a look at some common Wi-Fi problems:
As you can see there are quiet a few!
Lets start with client problems – can a user even get on their wireless network
Coverage problems – are their dead spots in the facility or is the wireless coverage adequate in all locations?
Are the wireless networks overloaded or improperly designed? Is everyone getting the speed they require?
Is interference causing problems with the wireless networks? Maybe a user can’t connect – why not? Is it interference?
Are there rogue devices in the network which are causing security nightmares?
And is the wireless network properly secured or is it open to hackers?
This covers just a few of the problems but as you can see there’s a lot of issues for an IT department to deal with. 14

15. Troubleshooting Wi-Fi Interference
11/24/2018
Now that we have heard from some frustrated customers, let take a look at some common Wi-Fi problems:
As you can see there are quiet a few!
Lets start with client problems – can a user even get on their wireless network
Coverage problems – are their dead spots in the facility or is the wireless coverage adequate in all locations?
Are the wireless networks overloaded or improperly designed? Is everyone getting the speed they require?
Is interference causing problems with the wireless networks? Maybe a user can’t connect – why not? Is it interference?
Are there rogue devices in the network which are causing security nightmares?
And is the wireless network properly secured or is it open to hackers?
This covers just a few of the problems but as you can see there’s a lot of issues for an IT department to deal with. 15

16. Why Field Testing IS Important
Hope is not a Warranty
Reduce mean time to repair network failures
It’s All About Confidence!
To Test, is to Know!
Field testing not only speeds up problem resolution, but also prevents problems from happening altogether
Affirmation that the end user receives a system that meets the speed and quality he/she expects (and is paying for)
Verify the components meet the specified performance requirements
Verify the installation has been performed with Quality workmanship