Connection Types

Cabling problems can be the cause of significant network downtime. With today’s network manager more concerned about “Total Cost of Ownership”, features that can help solve cabling problems provide valuable benefits. The Hardware Integrity (HWI) function incorporated into the LXT9784 is one such feature.

The Hardware Integrity function uses transmission line theory to measure the arrival time and electrical characteristics of the wave reflected back from an incident test wave launched on the media. With these measurements, opens, shorts, and degraded cable quality can be located along the wire, and lead the network manager to the location of the problem.

This document provides a theoretical overview of the HWI function implemented in the LXT9784.

Isolating Cabling Problems

When looking at cabling plant installation, it consists of many different pieces:

• The cable connection from the PC to the wall plate

• The wall plate

• The cables from the wall plate to the wiring closet

• The wiring closet patch panels

• The RJ45 connectors everywhere

• The patch cables to the network hub.