Tests cables and LAN devices for 10MB, 100MB and Gigabit (1000MB) operation.

Why is the Real World Certifier ideal for LAN Managers and Cable Installers?

The RWC1000 takes you far beyond typical LAN and cable testing. Now you can perform all of your standard cable tests plus "type" your cable (CAT 3,5,5E,6) and perform real speed tests on cables, switches, hubs, and PCs. With results displayed on Easy-To-Read graphs! Plus, store the tests for later printing.

• Performance Certify and Troubleshoot all LAN Hardware and Cabling
• Compatible with all 10MB, 100MB, and Gigabit Networks!
• Test Existing Cables for Higher Speed Compatibility
• Spot Faulty Wiring Closet Jumpers From Your Office Wall Outlet
• Detect Worn Connectors and Faulty Terminations
• Identify Excessively Noisy Cables
• Decode 10/100/GIG PCs, Switches and Hubs for Advertised Capability
• Go "INLINE" Between Two LAN Devices and Identify the Negotiated Speed
• Test 10/100/GIGABIT PCs, Switches and Hubs for Adequate Signal Levels
• Perform Your Own Inspection On Newly Purchased Devices and Cables
• Identify Network Bottlenecks Caused By Slow Running Links
• Print "Receipt" to Document Test Results

• Speed tests (10MB, 100MB, GIGABIT):
  Real World Cert Level 1 (projected)
  Real World Cert Level 2*(confirmed)
• Cable Typing (CAT 3,5,5E,6)
• Displays Port Speed, duplex, data levels of all pairs, etc.*
• Inline Port Mode (negotiated results)
  Port beacon (locate port)
• Cable length (real 1 nanosecond TDR)
• Opens, shorts, split pairs, splits distance
• NEXT, NEXT (FAR), Skew, Propagation delay
• Attenuation*, Hot splits
• Multi-pair Toner/Probe
• Stores 250 tests for later printing

*Uses real data from your hub, switch, or PC.

If your toolbox is full of $200, $300 and $400 testers, why do you need a Real World Certifier? Your testers can tell you if your cable is wired correctly... but they can't tell you how fast the cable is capable of operating. The Real World Certifier tells you if your cable is wired correctly... and the speed at which your cable is capable of operating!

Here Is How The Real World Certifier Compares To Expensive Certifiers

RWC1000 Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

QUESTION: Real World Certifier vs. Certifier.
The Real World Certifier has many of the features of the far more expensive certifiers, so what is the difference?

ANSWER:
A "Certifier" is typically a two piece test set that is installed at the near end and the far end of a cable. The unit at the far end transmits high speed ANALOG sine waves across a broad spectrum that are analyzed by the unit on the near end. Many tests are performed and the results of each test are normally reported as "Pass/Fail" with time and dB measurements included. As a final result the cable is "Certified" as a Cat 3, Cat 5, Cat 5e or 6. This capability depends on the particular certifier (i.e. many certifiers are not yet able to test to Cat 6).

A Real World Certifier does not focus on the category of the cable (e.g. Cat 3, Cat 5) but on the speed capability if the cable (10MB, 100MB, 1000MB). Further, the Real World Certifier breaks its testing into two levels termed "Level 1" and "Level 2". The Level 1 test uses the Real World Certifier Main Unit on the near end and transmits SIMULATED DIGITAL DATA to the Remote Probe Unit on the far end. Many tests are performed and the results of each test are reported as "Pass/Fail" with certain timing measurements included. The final result is a "Projected Speed" graph of the cable (10MB, 100MB, 1000 MB). The Level 2 test is similar to the Level 1 except the device on the far end is a hub, switch or PC. The LAN device at the far end transmits REAL DIGITAL DATA that is analyzed by the Real World Certifier at the near end. If the far end unit is a Gigabit switch or other 1000 MB device, the cable is tested for speed capabilities with real data up to a Gigabit (1000 MB). As you might suspect, Level 2 tests cans only test up to the speed capability of the device providing the data. For instance, if the far end unit is a 100MB device, then the Level 2 speed testing is limited to 100MB. The results are reported as "Pass/Fail" with certain tests having time measurements included. The final result is a "Confirmed Speed" graph rating the cable for its data capacity (up to 1 Gigabit if a Gigabit hub switch or PC is used on the far end).

The Real World Certifier also has capabilities not normally found on other Certifiers. For instance, the RWC1000 has toner/probe capabilities for locating wires in crowded closets (a high quality probe is included). The Real World Certifier can perform Port Scanning and Inline Port Scanning of LAN devices. And the Real World Certifier can transmit a Port Beacon to locate ports on the network.

QUESTION: Level 1 vs. Level 2.
What is the difference between Real World Certification Level 1 and Level 2?

ANSWER:
Real World Level 1 certification features opens, shorts and split pairs testing along with propagation delay, skew, NEXT and NEXT (FAR) measurements. Level 1 testing uses simulated digital signals to test the cable. Use Level 1 for new cable installations or anytime a LAN device (hub, switch, PC) is not available.

Level 2 testing adds real live data with the connection of a real live data source (a hub, switch or PC) on the far end. This adds an important element to its capability: signal attenuation of live data. Adding this data element to the other elements gathered in Level 1 testing creates Level 2 testing. The end result of Real World Certification Level 2 testing the display of speed graph that certifies the data speed capability of the cable. Use Level 2 certification when you want to test a cable with real live data. Or if you are troubleshooting and want the added benefit of using real live data. An example of Level 2 use is if you want to test the cable with the exact switch that it uses in the network.

QUESTION: Cable testing vs. Real World Certifying
I need a good cable tester but do not need to speed test my cables and other devices. Is the Real World Certifier a good choice

ANSWER:
Yes. The Real World Certifier performs all of the same tests of a high quality cable tester... and then goes far beyond. For instance, you will find all of the standard cable verification tests like LENGTH (with a real one-nanosecond TDR), OPENS, SHORTS; WIRE MAP, and SPLIT PAIRS (including distance to the split!). These might be all you need at this point. But when you are ready, the Real World Certifier also performs crosstalk testing (NEXT and NEXT FAR), PROPAGATION DELAY (time for the signal to transit the cable), SKEW (time delay between pairs) and ATTENUATION.... along with the speed testing.

QUESTION: Port scanning vs. Inline port scanning.
What is the difference between port scanning and inline port scanning.

ANSWER:
"Port scanning" involves connecting the Real World Certifier to single LAN device and performing the Port Scan test. The test deciphers the link pulse from the LAN device and displays the "advertised" capabilities of the device (speed, duplex, auto configuration, etc.). There is no guarantee that when you connect this LAN device to another that it will operate at its highest advertised speed. It all depends on the compatibility of the two LAN devices.

With "Inline port scanning" you connect the Real World Certifier to both LAN devices and perform the Port Scan test. The test deciphers the speed and duplex that was "negotiated" by the two LAN devices. This tells you the actual operating speed of the link. For instance, a switch with an "advertised" capability of 1 Gigabit (1000 MB), full duplex connected to a PC with an "advertised" speed of 100 MB, full duplex should negotiate to the highest compatible speed and duplex (in this case 100 MB, full duplex). The Real World Certifier's inline capability will verify if this is true.

QUESTION: Printer vs. documentation tablet.
Does the RWC1000 have a printer attachment?

ANSWER:
Documenting results is important and printers are perfect for the job but they are bulky and expensive. Byte Brothers offers a "Documentation tablet" that follows the Real World Certification process precisely. The person performing the test can check off the progress of the test, document the location of the cable and affix a "PASSED" sticker to the cable outlet or device. A tablet and PASSED stickers are included with the RWC1000.

RWC1000 Feature by Feature Comparisons

REAL WORLD CERTIFIER (RWCs)

Shorts, opens, length, map and cable quality. RWCs test for shorts, opens, length, map and cable quality as required by IEEE/ISO/IEC 802.3 standards.

HIGH COST CERTIFIERS (HCCs)

Shorts, opens, length, map and cable quality. HCCs test for shorts, opens, length, map and cable quality as required by IEEE/ISO/IEC 802.3 standards.

Cable propagation delay RWCs measure cable propagation delay and skew in nano-seconds. Propagation delay is the time it takes for a data signal to travel the length of the cable. Skew is the difference in delay between pairs. A small skew insures that data, on each pair, will arrive at the receiver at about the same time. A large skew reading errors. RWCs meet IEEE/ISO/IEC 802.3 delay and skew specifications.

Cable propagation delay HCCs measure cable propagation delay and skew in nano-seconds. Propagation delay is the time it takes for a data signal to travel the length of the cable. Skew is the difference in delay between pairs. A small skew means data, on each, will arrive at the receiver at about the same time. A large skew reading errors. HCCs meet IEEE/ISO/IEC 802.3 delay and skew specifications.

NEXT RWCs test digital Near End Cross Talk (NEXT) by sending high-speed-digital signals on each pair and reading the response on other pairs. RWCs display NEXT as Pass/Fail for 10 meg, 100 meg or gigabit data rates. Headroom or margin is graphically displayed for each speed. If a cable fault causes a NEXT failure, the distance to that fault (such as split pair) is displayed. This helps cable installers and network mangers locate repairable cable legs. High-speed digital test circuits run for many hours on a common low cost nine-volt battery.

NEXT HCCs test analog Near End Cross Talk (NEXT) by sending high-speed analog signals on each pair and reading the response on other pairs. HCCs display NEXT in dB with Pass/Limits for Cat 5, 5E and 6 cables. dB readings help cable manufactures improve their cable performance. No distance to cable faults that cause NEXT failures is displayed. This makes it difficult for cable installers and network managers to locate repairable cable faults. High-speed analog NEXT test circuits are very expensive and require large expensive rechargeable batteries.

FEXT RWCs test digital FAR End Cross Talk (FEXT) by bouncing digital signals off the far end of the cable and measuring the response on each pair. RWCs display FEXT as Pass/Fail for 10 meg, 100 meg and gigabit data rates. The RWC graphically displays headroom or margin at each data speed. The RWC displays distance to faults that cause FEXT failures. Distance to fault (such as split pair) helps cable installers and network mangers locate and repair faulty cable legs.

FEXT HCCs use a far end test module to perform NEXT measurements on the far end of the cable. The far end NEXT is reported to the user’s display as FEXT. Using two high-speed analog test modules effectively doubles the cost of an already very expensive test instrument. FEXT is report in (cable manufacture friendly) dBs. Again, HCCs do not provide cable installers and network manager distance to repairable faults.

Real Data. RWCs measure cable losses with real data from hubs/switches/PCs

Simulated Data. HCCs measure cable losses with simulated data. Data is simulated with sine waves of various frequencies up to 350 or 600 mega-Hz.

Remote Unit. RWCs use inexpensive hubs/switches/PCs to provide signals to measure cables signal losses.

Remote Unit. HCCs use an analog test module to source simulated data, i.e. high-speed sine waves, to measure cable signal losses

Two-sided. The RWC plugs on one end of the cable, the hub/switch/PC plugs on to the other end. The RWC receives and measures real data signal levels.

Two-sided. The HCC uses a second analog test module on the other end of the cable to receive, measure and display the simulated data.

Data Display. RWCs read and graphically display real data signal levels on all four pairs. The graphs show minimum acceptable levels, of the data, after cable losses.
"RWC Level 2" combines real data level measurements with delay, skew, digital NEXT/ FEXT and map measurements from the Level 1 tests to Real World Certify the cables speed as 10 meg, 100 meg or 1 giga-bit. All of these measurements are also used to compute, the cables graphically displayed margin or headroom.

Data Display. HCCs read and display simulated data signals on all four pairs. The simulated data level losses are displayed in dBs.
HCCs list simulated data loss measurements with delay, skew, analog NEXT/ FEXT and map measurements to Certify cables as Cat 3, Cat 5, Cat 5E or Cat 6. Headroom is based on worse case of above measurements.

RWCs Test Single Network Ports
RWCs test for 10 meg, 100 meg and gigabit data rates and full or half duplex.
RWCs measure data signal levels on up to four pairs. Data levels are displayed graphically in percent of maximum.
RWCs check hot splits. RWCs locate split pairs on installed cables without disconnecting or de-powering the remote network port. This helps cable installers and network manager find cable faults without having to take down a network.

HCCs Test Single Network Ports
HCCs test for 10 meg and 100 meg with full or half duplex.
HCCs do not graphically display data signal levels.
Must unplug network ports and cables before testing for split pairs.

RWCs Test Inline Network Ports
RWCs display 10 meg, 100 meg and gigabit data rates and full or half duplex of both inline ports.
RWCs display negotiated data rates and duplexes. The user is alerted, if the two ports have non-compatible data rates or duplexes. This helps system installers and networks managers locate data-rate bottle-necks and non-functioning network legs.
RWCs help installers and network mangers locate the far end of a cable by sending audio tones or beacon signals on the cable. Audio tones.

HCCs Test Inline Network Ports
HCCs do not have inline capabilities.

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