A good network testing tool will save you time and headaches. If you are a network engineer, a field engineer, a colocation engineer or have any other role that requires frequent network cable testing, then the Fluke LinkSprinter may be of interest to you.
The LinkSprinter is a pocket-sized networking tool brought to you by Fluke Networks. Fluke Networks are the top-end company when it comes to quality networking tools.
Fluke produces a few different LinkSprinters. They include the LinkSprinter 100, the LinkSprinter 200 with Wifi and the LinkSprinter 300with Wifi and distance testing. All three are based on the same tool, but the 200 and 300 models include additional network testing features.
The LinkSprinter is definitely on the cheaper end of network testing tools. That is not to say it is cheap. As with all Fluke products, it is fast and accurate in its test results. The results come in in a matter of seconds, and they are more accurate than other network testing tools in a similar price range. When me and my coworkers have a concern about the accuracy of a test, the Fluke device is the one we end up trusting.
The LinkSprinter provides a number of diagnostic and testing results. This includes being able to to test Power over Ethernet (PoE), Layer 1 and 2 link, DHCP, Internet connectivity, port speed, Layer 3 settings (gateway address, etc). This definitely goes well beyond a simple cable tester which only tests for link or tests the wire pairs within a copper wire.
The test results can be sent to a phone, tablet, computer or any other networking device. This is great because you can use your phone to see the results right there while testing things, but a co-worker can also see the results remotely on their own device. Both of you being able to directly see the results is a lot easier than having to relay the network test results to a co-worker, hoping that the information does not get misunderstood or misheard along the way. The results can also be sent directly to email, allowing for future review or follow up reports.
The LinkSprinter 300 is able to see cable faults and tell you the distance to the fault. This is another great time saver. Not having to trace the whole wire is a huge time saver. This is especially valuable for those who operate in locations where cables are not exposed.
Another great feature of the 300 series is the ability to make the switch port link light blink. Again, instead of having to trace a cable to the port that it is on, this ability allows you to simple look at the switch and see which port is blinking. Now you know exactly which port corresponds with which cable.
The LinkSprinter either uses two AA batteries or PoE.
This networking testing tool goes well beyond what a low-end cable tester does. The amount of information to get from using the Fluke LinkSprinter can lead to huge savings in time and work. Not having to trace cables through a closet or a whole data-center is enough to make me happy to own one of these.
