Reddit reviews Fluke Networks IntelliTone Pro 200 Toner and Probe Kit (MT-8200-60-KIT), IntelliTone Probe and Toner Kit
We found 18 Reddit comments about Fluke Networks IntelliTone Pro 200 Toner and Probe Kit (MT-8200-60-KIT), IntelliTone Probe and Toner Kit. Here are the top ones, ranked by their Reddit score.
IntelliTone digital toning eliminates noise and false signalsSmartTone analog toning precisely isolates individual wire pairsLocates cables safely and effectively on active networksVerifies twisted pair installation with visual end to end continuity testProbe detects digital signal and 1 kilo hertz signal from the analog tonerProbe has built in pair tester to identify open, shorted and crossed pairsSignal strength indicator LEDs so you can help identify 1 cable that is bundled with other cablesConfirms cable location, verifies cable continuity, and detects cable faults (opens, shorts, and reversed pairs) in 1 step
I think what you want is a Toner & Probe.
Basically you plug one side in the jack you want to locate, then use the probe to sweep across the patch panels to locate which one it is.
As for labeling, I've come to like the <IDFroom><Patchpanel><Number>. Like 101A23 (IDF Room 101, Patch panel A, port 23).
Good ones are expensive. Cheap ones kinda work but are very frustrating. You'll waste more money in labour than you save buying a $30 one.
I have this fluke cable tracer and it works quite well. It's not super expensive, and it will trace wires fairly well, though if there are a lot of wires in a tight bundle it can still be difficult to pick out exactly which one the signal is coming from.
What it doesn't do that more expensive ones can is test the signal quality on the cables and determine how far away breaks are. It only does basic toning to make sure all the pairs are connected and in the right order.
Edit :
Fluke Intellitone Pro 200.
Can also trace individual cables burried in a bundle and other challenging trace environments.
Agreed. But go with the intellitoner if you can afford it.
I was able to easily find lines in a boat I couldn't trace with an analog toner due to noise.
https://www.amazon.com/Fluke-Networks-MT-8200-60-KIT-IntelliTone-Toner/dp/B00N2S6RPY
this should do most all your talking about.
http://www.amazon.com/Fluke-Networks-MT-8200-60-KIT-IntelliTone-Generator/dp/B00N2S6RPY/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&amp;qid=1452881493&amp;sr=8-1&amp;keywords=fluke+tester+and+tone
You get what you pay for. I use this kit at work and it's an invaluable tool to me. Oh, oops, forgot we were in /r/homelab :D
A Toner & Probe kit would definitely help out identifying cables. There are less expensive ones, but if work's paying for it, I recommend Fluke.
For 80% of hardware work you just need a good, solid multi-tipped magnetic screwdriver and a pez dispenser full of excedrin.
Toss in a power supply tester like a Dr. Power II and you have nearly all hardware tools you need.
Just be aware that many software tools on Hirens are only licensed for personal use, using them for professional use would be a violation of license agreement.
If you're going to be checking networks, you're going to want a good fluke toner, and a fluke voltage tester so you don't kill yourself
You're also going to want a cat5 crimper that won't break
If you're troubleshooting big networks then pick up a fluke microscanner II, but only if it will save you several thousand bucks in effort.
Well I'll be the first one to give you generic information that you could have found with the search function.
You just do the needful.
https://www.amazon.com/dp/032194318X/ref=wl_it_dp_o_pC_nS_ttl?_encoding=UTF8&amp;colid=3IXCECMPTZ0C5&amp;coliid=IJFXHOHENJ2FH
https://www.amazon.com/dp/0321492668/ref=wl_it_dp_o_pC_nS_ttl?_encoding=UTF8&amp;colid=3IXCECMPTZ0C5&amp;coliid=I3J2AR8V86JZMD
https://www.amazon.com/dp/0596007833/ref=wl_it_dp_o_pC_nS_ttl?_encoding=UTF8&amp;colid=3IXCECMPTZ0C5&amp;coliid=I2OPTI4J0S4UG2
Good screwdriver set.
https://www.ifixit.com/Store/Tools/64-Bit-Driver-Kit/IF145-299
A network tone tester in case you need to map out your network and document everything. Also functions as a basic cable tester.
https://www.amazon.com/Fluke-Networks-MT-8200-60-KIT-IntelliTone-Toner/dp/B00N2S6RPY/ref=sr_1_5?ie=UTF8&amp;qid=1473701817&amp;sr=8-5&amp;keywords=fluke+networks+tester
A punch down tool.
https://www.amazon.com/TRENDnet-Punch-Krone-Blade-TC-PDT/dp/B0000AZK4D/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&amp;qid=1473702091&amp;sr=8-1&amp;keywords=punchdown
An ethernet crimper.
https://www.amazon.com/TRENDnet-RJ-45-RJ-12-RJ-11-TC-CT68/dp/B0000AZK4G/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&amp;qid=1473702137&amp;sr=8-1&amp;keywords=ethernet+crimper
A quick cable stripper.
https://www.amazon.com/Monoprice-Stripper-Cutter-Cables-107051/dp/B0069LRBU6/ref=sr_1_3?ie=UTF8&amp;qid=1473702190&amp;sr=8-3&amp;keywords=ethernet+stripper
A usb hard drive dock.
https://www.amazon.com/Sabrent-External-Duplicator-Function-EC-HDD2/dp/B00IKC14OG/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&amp;qid=1473702021&amp;sr=8-2&amp;keywords=usb+hard+drive+dock
A notebook.
https://www.amazon.com/Rhodia-Meeting-Book-Made-France/dp/B001DCDSW6/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&amp;qid=1473702220&amp;sr=8-1&amp;keywords=rhodia+meeting+book
Your necessities may vary, this applies to more of a one-man shop, and there's plenty of other things you'll want to get that I don't have listed here depending on your job.
I dunno how much you should get paid.
Disclosure - I have been doing cabling and telecom for 10+ years. I am recommending the same tools that I carry in my own bag.
First, that tool is garbage. I had that same kit once upon a time and the teeth in those crimps actually bent.
Since price is no option, get yourself a nice pair of crimps.
http://www.allentelproducts.com/catalog/model_AT680.htm?sid=5053870E92469B0FBDE26B823299C951&amp;pid=2010
Also, since price is no option - Get a nice toner that includes a cable mapper to make sure crimps/punchdowns are okay.
https://www.amazon.com/Fluke-Networks-MT-8200-60-KIT-IntelliTone-Toner/dp/B00N2S6RPY
You will also need a punch down tool.
https://www.amazon.com/Fluke-Networks-10055501-EverSharp-Starter/dp/B000FJCRBG/ref=sr_1_3?s=office-products&amp;ie=UTF8&amp;qid=1475089176&amp;sr=1-3&amp;keywords=fluke+punchdown+tool
Last, do not crimp RJ-45 ends on solid copper cable. Solid copper is for terminating on jacks and patch panels. When you terminate an end on solid copper, the blade is actually not cutting through the wire as intended. Instead its either bending or cutting to side of the wire. This can lead to poor connection and oxidation of the wire over time. You will start having connection problems with no idea why. If you are set on simply using crimps, purchase your cable with stranded copper. With stranded, the blade inside of the RJ-45 end will actually cut through the middle of the wire coating and settle in between the copper strands.
Also, I would skip the Cat-7 and go with shielded CAT-6.
https://www.amazon.com/Fluke-Networks-MT-8200-60-KIT-IntelliTone-Toner/dp/B00N2S6RPY
It's like $200 bucks. You don't need each tech having their own. Get two or three, tops.
Fluke is the lifetime brand in this dept. Below is the basic tester I buy for my structured cabling technicians. The cheaper ones will get the job done, but they sometimes fail and have inferior warranties. This is a digital toner / tracer, which also will run wiremaps, continuity, and inject tones.
https://www.amazon.com/Fluke-Networks-IntelliTone-Toner-MT-8200-60-KIT/dp/B00N2S6RPY/ref=sr_1_1_sspa?ie=UTF8&amp;qid=1518912207&amp;sr=8-1-spons&amp;keywords=Fluke+tracer&amp;psc=1
For Tone gen, Fluke makes the gold standard. They also have a cheaper version.
You didn't mention a probe, so maybe you are looking for a cable certifier?. That's super expensive though. if you just have to test that there is continuity and not certify the cables, you can use this, or this if you want to look like a pro.
As for Screwdrivers, Wiha makes the best screw drivers, hands down. I have this set for working on electronics & laptop repair. Magnetic tool-kits are fine. This isn't the 80's anymore. There aren't too many magnetically sensitive items inside a computer anymore. especially with the advent of SSD drives.
As for a toolbox, depending the work, I prefer a tool bag or pouch.
Good luck, hope that helps. What helped for me when I started was to go to harbor freight and just get an assortment of tools. As I worked I slowly replaced the stuff I used all the time with quality gear, and didn't have to burn myself buying expensive tools and gear that I would never use.
Fluke's Intellitone
It's expensive, but you'll only buy it once.
I use this - https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00N2S6RPY/ref=twister_B0732VPHMG?_encoding=UTF8&amp;psc=1
That's a toner & probe. Yes, fluke has that for 8X more new.
https://www.amazon.com/Fluke-Networks-IntelliTone-Toner-MT-8200-60-KIT/dp/B00N2S6RPY/
That isn't fluke's main deal though. They test signal integrity and where that drops off via their DSX network analyzer($15,000). The toner and probe is fairly basic.
The tool you picked should be fine for doing home cable routing. Don't need high end for that.
Cable toner and probe. Don't go cheap, a good Fluke tester is ~200US and they work great.
https://www.amazon.com/Fluke-Networks-Intellitone/dp/B00N2S6RPY?th=1
The cheap ones may work on the shorter runs, but the Fluke always works and the one I linked has a built in patch cable tester.