LanExpert 80

Inline Gigabit Network Analyzer

The essential tool for LAN installers, technicians, managers and service providers

The LanExpert Network Analyzer is an essential tool for installing, monitoring, maintaining, upgrading or troubleshooting any network. The LanExpert utilizes a color touch screen interface to access one of the most complete suites of test and analysis functions available in a portable test tool.

  • Inline Network Analysis
  • Expert Advice
  • Network Connectivity Tests
  • Packet Capture and Monitoring
  • Cable Tests - Wire Map, Length and Power over Ethernet
  • Traffic Generator
  • Stress Test - RFC 2544
  • An essential tool for maintaining and monitoring  data networks
  • Perform network analyses and create lists of top talkers, VoIP statistics, and much more
  • Industry standard RFC2544 stress test to benchmark your network capabilities! This throughput test can be conducted using the two independent ports of a single LanExpert unit. If the test point is located further away in the network it is possible to use a second device as a link partner.
  • Use the Inline mode of the LanExpert to analyze packets without interfering with the data traffic between two devices
  • Your expert for efficient troubleshooting on active data networks! The built-in expert feature of the LanExpert detects problems in networks and assists you in problem resolution providing recommendations on how to solve the problem
  • Mobile and cost-efficient capture and storage of up to 10,000 data packets. Export the packets to WireShark® to perform an exact packet analysis
  • Your true companion when physical testing is required. Use the LanExpert to conduct wire map, length or PoE tests. Even individual wires can  be identified quickly and efficiently with the built-in tone generator and the optional CT15 CableTracker tone probe.

General specifications

Dimensions

6.5 in. x 4.0 in. x 2.8 in. / 165 mm x 102 mm x 71 mm

Weight

22 ounces; 626 grams

Interface

Color LCD Touchscreen Display (320x240xRGB)

Power

Li-Ion Battery Pack; AC Power

Link Connections

10/100/1000Base-TX

Test Modes

Inline; Single Ended; Dual Independent

Environment

Operating Temperature

32°F to 122°F / 0°C to 50°C

Storage Temperature

14°F to 131°F / -10°C to 55°C

  • LanExpert Gigabit Inline Network Analyzer
  • LanExpert Wiremap Terminator
  • USB Flash Drive
  • AC Adapter with Country Specific Power Cord
  • RJ-45 Patch Cable
  • Wrist strap
  • Quick Start Guide
  • Carrying Case with Removable Shoulder Strap

Email me further Firmware releases

Analyze Network

My LanExpert does not connect to my network. What do I do?

In factory default the LanExpert uses DHCP to retrieve its IP information. If your network is not DHCP, select Profile 2 and input an IP, subnet and gateway address to connect to your network. If the problem still occurs then look at the current Port configuration under setup.

Why don’t I see the partner’s capabilities?

If a Fixed speed is selected in the Setup under Ports then the LanExpert connects at that specific speed only and does not check the far ends capability. Select Auto under SPEED to see Partners Capabilities.

Why does it say MDI-X Not Tested?

We have our own Link As option called Auto+Detect. If this options is selected MDI-X will be filled in with Auto MDI-X (LAN) or MDI-X (MIC). Auto+Detect allows for more information about the link to be displayed. Some SOHO gigabit switches might not work with this configuration.

Under Signals, what does Partner mean next to Master? ´

1000BASE-T requires that auto-negotiation establish a Master-Slave relationship between the two devices. Typically, a multi-port device (switch) will assume the role of Master and single-port devices (servers, end stations, etc.) will be the slave unit. The 1000BASE-T protocol has a means of arbitrating which device will assume a given role (master/slave). The purpose of this Master/Slave relationship is to determine which device will provide the clock for the link.

Where do I see the IP information once I am linked?

Select the down arrow on the scroll bar to view IP information including Port MAC, IP, Subnet, Gateway, DHCP, WINS, DNS1, DNS2, DNS3 addresses and Lease time (if using DHCP).

Why do I only see Unassigned next to all the IP information?

Make sure the LanExpert is linked to the network and that your DHCP Server is working properly. If using static IP, then make sure the IP information is entered into the Ports profile under setup.

What type of packets does the traffic generator produce?

The LanExpert uses UDP packets.

Why don’t I see more information about the traffic under Traffic Generate?

Sync the IP address to another LanExpert or the other port of the current LanExpert on the network to see Received packets, lost packets, seq error, duplicate packets and roundtrip time.

Why are the Port LEDs on top of the unit still flashing red?

If both are flashing, the LanExpert is trying to connect to the network. If one LED stops flashing and is a solid color then that Port is connected.

Why does one of the LED turn a solid color but the other LED is still flashing?

See what configuration you are trying to connect with under Setup in PORTS. Inline and Independent mode needs both network cables connected to the LanExpert. The unit will not start collecting data until both of the ports have established a connection to the network.

What does Capture and Detectors mean on the SAVE screen? It seems that some tests on Analyze Network can be saved and some are not.

SAVE - Capture is used to store the frames in the Frame Capture mode. Up to 1000 frames in each of 10 memory storage locations can be stored. Once stored the frames must be downloaded to the computer and viewed in the Wireshark protocol analysis software (this is a free software package go to www.wireshark.org to download the latest version).

If I would want to capture all frames from a local network, how and where should I put the tester?

This is very dependent on the design of the network but typically the tester would be placed on the backbone between the server and the switch this is the best location. Obviously if there are many servers, routers and switches, there is not one location that will see all of the traffic. A good location for looking at traffic going to and from the network would be on the network side of the main firewall appliance.

Setup

Why do I have 50 different profiles?

There are 49 user-configured profiles and one factory default. Factory default is not changable. The rest of the profiles are allowed to save settings related to different networks. This saves time so you only have to configure the setup once and not have to keep going back to change it.

What do the different port configurations mean?

Single ended mode is where the LanExpert is connected to one network device using either Port 1 or Port 2. Inline must have both ports connected to two network devices. This allows the LanExpert to inspect the traffic going through it. Independent mode is where each port on the LanExpert has its own IP and MAC address. This is used to look at two different ports on the network or to run a RFC 2544 stress test with one LanExpert.

Can I ping a website?

Yes, use a profile other then Factory Default. Select Ping/ Trace under setup. Press the down arrow once and select an Edit button next to an Undefined list object enter in a name or a website. Please make sure a DNS server is running to resolve the name or website you have entered.

Does the LanExpert detect VLANs?

Yes, go to Setup under Ports and scroll down once to enter a VLAN tag that the LanExpert detects.

Question What is MAC cloning? Answer MAC cloning allows the LanExpert to simulate another network device by using its ( the device in question) MAC address to detect issues originating from that device.

Cable Test

Under length mode, why do I get funny readings on pins 78?

Please make sure that the far end of the cable connected to the LanExpert is disconnected from the wiremap terminator or a network device.

Can I measure cables other than network cables?

The LanExpert only measures copper network cables (ie. CAT3, 5, 5e, 6 and 6e) that have a NVP of 65 to 74.

When I measure a patch cord, do I need to plug both ends into the LanExpert ports?

To measeure length plug one end of your cable into Port 2. Port 2 is marked on the LanExpert with a yellow outline. The other end of the cable should not be connected to anything. Make sure nothing is connected to Port 1 while making the measurement. Select start to measure the cable.

Stress Test

Can I use only one tester to make RFC2544 and traffic generate? if so, which mode would I choose?

You can run the Stress Test using the two ports on one LanExpert. The Independent Mode must be selected to do the Stress Test with a single LanExpert. You can also conduct the Stress Test using two LanExperts. One unit is designated as the remote unit and both are set to the Single Ended Mode.

Normally, how much time is needed to do a RFC2544 test? What does estimated time mean in every item of RFC2544?

To conduct a test that meets 100% of the RF2544 requirements would take about 2.5 days of continuous testing. This is typically only done in a laboratory environment and rarely (if ever) done in the field. Field tests are almost always customized by the user to provide a thorough test within a more reasonable time frame. For example, the RFC2544 requires testing with eight different packet sizes. A typical field test will reduce the number of different packet sizes, many times only using the largest and smallest packet size, which greatly reduces the test time. The test times shown for each test on the LanExpert are for the default settings, which we have picked for field tests. As the user changes the test parameters these estimated times will change so that the total test time is known before the tests are started.

General

The LanExpert will not power up?

The battery pack may need to be charged. Attach the AC adapter and verify the battery pack is being charged. The LanExpert can be used at the same time the battery pack is being charged.

The battery pack is not charging or holding a charge, can it be replaced?

Yes, however it needs to be returned to the manufacture for replacement. Contact us for assistance.

My LanExpert turned off while I was testing.

Select the battery symbol when power is turned back on. Select "stay on" option for both AC power and battery power. Your LanExpert doesn’t turn on? Plug in the AC power to charge the battery.

My LanExpert is displaying the wrong time and/or date.

The first time the unit is powered on or if the time is lost there are a series of four dashed lines in the center of the top edge of the display. Or if the time is not correct. Touch the dashes or the displayed time with the stylus or fingertip and the time and date set screen will appear. Adjust the time and/or date. Then touch the Exit button at the top right of the screen to go back to the previous screen.

I lost my stylus can I use a pen or pencil?

No, any sharp pointed object will damage the touch screen. Contact us for replacement components.

The screen is difficult to see in bright light.

Adjust the backlight brightness to a level that corrects this. Follow the Set Illumination Options in the Getting Stated section of the User Guide or in the LanExpert’s Setup section.

The screen is frozen, What do I do to unfreeze it?

Hold down the power button for about 5 seconds to turn the unit off. Turn unit back on. Try to recreate the situation to see if the unit freezes again. If you can recreate the "freeze", please email Psiber the exact situation that made your LanExpert freeze and we will look into it.

My screen went blank then started cycling through different color screens, what do I do?

Hold down the power button for about 5 seconds to turn the unit off. Turn unit back on. Please email us, if this happens multiple times, with the exact situation and we will look into it.

I touch a location on the screen and nothing happens. I touch close to an object on the screen and the action happens

The Touch Screen may need to be aligned. Select Setup from the Home screen goto Touch Panel in the lower icon area. Perform alignment.

Recall

What is recall?

Recall allows the user to recall saved data to do more analysis. The data is displayed exactly how it was collected under Analyze Network.

Contact us now!

I'm interested in ...

*mandatory fields

Your request will be forwarded internally. The appropriate contact person will get in touch with you. Here you can find more information about our privacy policy.

How to reach us:

Phone: +1.865.251.5252

email: sales.us@softing.com

Softing Inc.
2332 New Sentinel Drive
Suite 120
Knoxville TN 37921 USA