User Manual

5
Section II. The Three Phases of LAN Installation
The RWC1000 is designed for both the network installer, the network
repair person and the IT manager. The tests used during the three
phases of LAN installation can just as well be used to troubleshoot
LANs that are suffering operational problems.
The installation of a LAN is generally handled in phases. The
cabling is installed; then the switches and PCs are installed; and then
all is connected together. The RWC1000 plays a role during all three
phases, saving countless hours of troubleshooting.
Phase I. Use the RWC1000 during cable installation (before the
switches and PCs are installed). After the LAN cable has been pulled
through the building and terminated, it is good practice to Real World
Certify that the cabling is terminated properly and test that the cable is
proper for the intended use (e.g. CAT5E for gigabit networks).
Phase II. Use the RWC1000 after the switches and PCs are installed.
Before connecting the cables to the switches and PCs, verify that each
switch port and PC are operational. This provides a wealth of information:
It verifi es that the device is ON (i.e. it is transmitting); the speed of the
device (10, 100, 1000 MB/s) ; duplex; and other features.
Phase III. Use the RWC1000 when connecting the cabling to the
switches and PCs. With the cabling verifi ed and Real World Certi-
fi ed (Phase I) and the switch and PCs checked out (Phase II), all that
remains is 1) getting the equipment communicating and 2) verifying
each LAN link is performing at the speed expected. To do this, use Real
World Certifi cation Level 2 to test the cable and port combinations.
And use the Network Tests INLINE capability to connect between 2
LAN devices to verify the negotiated speed of the link.