Chapter 11 - Network Management Flashcards
Asset management
As related to networks, this is a formalized system of tracking network components and managing the lifecycle of those components.
Baseline
A collection of data portraying the characteristics of a network under normal operating conditions. Data collected while troubleshooting can then be contrasted against baseline data.
Bit-error rate tester (BERT)
When troubleshooting a link where you suspect a high bit-error rate (BER), you can use a piece of test equipment called a bit-error rate tester (BERT), which contains both a pattern generator (which can generate a variety of bit patterns) and an error detector (which is synchronized with the pattern generator and can determine the number of bit errors) and can calculate a BER for the tested transmission link.
Butt set
A piece of test equipment typically used by telephone technicians. The clips on a butt set can connect to the tip and ring wires on a punch-down block (for example, a 66 block or a 110 block) connecting to a telephone. This allows the technician to check the line (for example, to determine whether a dial tone is present on the line and determine whether a call can be placed from the line).
Cable certifier
If you are working with existing cable and want to determine its category, or if you simply want to test the supported frequency range (and therefore data throughput) of the cable, you can use a cable certifier.
Cable tester
A cable tester can test the conductors in an Ethernet cable. It contains two parts. By connecting these parts of the cable tester to each end of a cable under test, you can check the wires in the cable for continuity (that is, check to make sure that there are no opens, or breaks, in a conductor). In addition, you can verify an RJ-45 connector’s pinouts (which are wires connected to the appropriate pins on an RJ-45 connector).
Optical time domain reflectometer (OTDR)
Detects the location of a fault in a fiber cable by sending light down the fiber-optic cable and measuring the time required for the light to bounce back from the cable fault. The OTDM can then mathematically calculate the location of the fault.
Punch-down tool
When terminating wires on a punch-down block (for example, a 110 block), you should use a punch-down tool, which is designed to properly insert an insulated wire between two contact blades in a punch-down block, without damaging the blades.
Simple Network Management Protocol (SNMP)
A protocol used to monitor and manage network devices, such as routers, switches, and servers.
Syslog
A syslog-logging solution consists of two primary components: syslog servers, which receive and store log messages sent from syslog clients; and syslog clients, which can be a variety of network devices that send logging information to a syslog server.
Time domain reflectometer (TDR)
Detects the location of a fault in a copper cable by sending an electric signal down the copper cable and measuring the time required for the signal to bounce back from the cable fault. A TDM can then mathematically calculate the location of the fault.
Toner probe
Sometimes called a fox and hound, a toner probe allows you to place a tone generator at one end of the connection (for example, in someone’s office) and use a probe on the punch-down block to audibly detect to which pair of wires the tone generator is connected.
