2 Cabling and Physical Connectivity Free Online FlashCards

What commonly causes physical-layer network faults?

Common causes include damaged or incorrectly terminated cables, loose or misplaced connections, faulty ports, and unsuitable cable or transceiver types.

How should you check a network connection path?

Trace the connection from the device through the wall jack and patch panel to the switch, checking that each connection reaches its intended port.

What should you inspect when checking a cable?

Look for cuts, kinks, crushing, tight bends, damaged plugs, bent or dirty contacts, and loose connections. Reseat both ends and replace visibly damaged cables.

What does a link light tell you—and what does it not prove?

A link light usually indicates that devices detect a physical connection, but LED meanings vary. No light can have several causes, and a light does not prove the cable is error-free.

What should you check when there is no link?

Check device power, cable seating, port selection and status, cable type, and every part of the path, including couplers, patch panels, media converters, and transceivers.

How can known-good substitutions help isolate a fault?

Replace the suspect cable with a known-good cable of the correct type, then try a known-good port. If the fault follows the cable, suspect it; if it stays with the port, investigate the port or device.

What should you do when testing an in-wall cable run?

Test the full run through the wall jack or patch panel, not just the short patch cords, and record the result and the location tested.

What should you investigate for an intermittent link or poor performance?

Look for damaged or stressed cable, loose terminations, or a faulty port. Check interface error counters and whether the link repeatedly drops and returns.

What can cause an unexpected network connection?

Verify that the cable is patched to the intended wall jack and switch port; connections at both ends can still lead to the wrong destination.

What should you check when troubleshooting a fiber link fault?

Confirm that the fiber type and transceivers match the equipment and intended link, and check that connectors are seated and handled according to the equipment maker’s instructions.

What does a basic wiremap test check?

A remote-unit cable tester checks whether conductors reach expected pins at the far end. A wiremap pass does not necessarily verify performance at the intended Ethernet speed.

What does an open fault indicate on a cable test?

An open means a conductor is broken or not terminated.