Why LinkXpert M3 Should be Your First Ethernet Network Troubleshooting Resource

Troubleshooting copper, fiber and Wi-Fi Ethernet networks can be a challenge when juggling multiple, expensive tools. That’s why we designed the LinkXpert M3 — a copper, fiber and Wi-Fi Ethernet cable and network troubleshooting tool. It’s packed with features in a compact, cost-effective package so you can use it as a first resource.

This device is highly portable. Roughly the size of an average smartphone, the LinkXpert M3 easily fits inside your pocket and provides quick, frequent and convenient access to all its tools. Here are some of the LinkXpert M3’s features.

Copper Testing

Smart Remote. Thanks to the Smart Remote ID, the LinkXpert M3 provides pass/fail results and details on the cable pairs, even on the Smart Remote. For simple readability, each Smart Remote is unique and identifiable in the LinkXpert M3 interface by its own link number. This identification helps you keep track of which cables you’re testing when using multiple Smart Remotes to speed up troubleshooting. When testing a faulty cable, the LinkXpert gives the location of the cabling issue and identifies which pair is open, even on the remote.

Switches. The LinkXpert M3 can test wired switches and retrieve information like communication speeds and whether the switch has full or half duplex capabilities. It can also run a DHCP test and detect the switch IP address for both static or dynamic environments. You can also identify any DNS servers that are connected and identify the subnet mask.

PoE. Another useful diagnostic capability is power over Ethernet (PoE) testing. Many devices like cameras and wireless access points (WAP) utilize PoE and it is important to identify the type of PoE that is being delivered when running cabling for these applications. If the wrong PoE class is configured in the source equipment, then the end device will not function properly.

The LinkXpert M3 is an excellent PoE tester and determines the exact pinout, polarity, PoE type and power class. Because the tester applies a load, it also determines the exact wattages delivered at the minimum and maximum load. The LinkXpert M3 has an automatic PoE discovery test and you can test against specific PoE types.

Network discovery. Network discovery tests are very useful for finding the devices connected to the network, gaining data like the MAC and IP addresses and DNS information. With the network discovery function, you can find where there are connected PCs, drives, cameras, WAPs, HMIs and controllers for quick identification. The network discovery test also automatically identifies duplicate IP addresses and gives you the MAC addresses with the duplicate IP addresses.

Switch ports. The LinkXpert M3 performs both LLDP and CDP testing to pull switch port and VLAN information. This information is important if you’re running VLANs, assigning security layers or network segmentation.

Tone wand. There are a number of accessories available that increase the LinkXpert M3’s functionality. One of the most common is the tone wand. Simply plug in a cable and generate a tone to locate opens, cables and individual pairs. The tone generator also works for coax, I/O and security alarm cables in addition to category cable.

Fiber Optic Testing

Visual fault locator (VFL). This basic tool emits a red laser to troubleshoot fiber optic links. The VFL identifies the cable; if the laser emits out of the non-connected end, then the cable and the fibers are healthy. Otherwise, the fiber optic line might be crossed or broken. The laser also helps you determine if bends are too extreme. Light will not appear on the fiber optic cable if it is bent too much.

TXRX function. The LinkXpert M3 is compatible with SFP transceivers. After plugging an SFP into the top of the unit, the LinkXpert M3 immediately shows the SFP metadata, including the power emitted. When looping a fiber optic cable back into the device, the LinkXpert M3 can prove that the SFP is working end-to-end.

Additional fiber optic tests are available including DHCP, duplicate IP detection, ping and traceroute as well as network and port discovery.

Fiber microscope. Softing’s fiber microscope accessory is compatible with the LinkXpert M3 and allows you to see the cleanliness of a fiber endface at either 200 or 400 times magnification. This microscope accessory lets you capture, grade and color code an image according to IEC cleanliness standards.

Wi-Fi Testing

The LinkXpert M3 can also test Wi-Fi networks when you plug in a dongle capable of 2.4 and 5 GHz Wi-Fi. If you aren’t testing Wi-Fi or are in a secure area that prohibits network access, you can simply remove the dongle.

By performing a Wi-Fi scan, the LinkXpert M3 provides all the available WAPs on the network. Performing the scan will show Wi-Fi radio information like the SSID (network name) and BSSID (unique hardware device), broadcast band and channel, as well as signal strength and security information. The Wi-Fi scan can also show if there is channel conflict between two Wi-Fi radios.

Whether performing copper, fiber optic or Wi-Fi troubleshooting, once you’re done testing, you can easily generate site reports in PDF format with no additional software.
 

LinkXpert M3 offers a ton of other features, which is why this compact yet powerful copper, fiber, Wi-Fi and PoE Ethernet cable and network troubleshooting tool should be your first Ethernet network troubleshooting resource.

Visit our product page to learn more, or watch videos on how to update your firmware and how to save your projects.