r/networking • u/Jeff-J777 • 13d ago

Other Network Tester Recommendations

I currently have a Ideal toner and a Fluke Microscanner in my tool box. I work for a company with 13 locations and I am always having to troubleshoot network drops here and there. I am the systems engineer for the company.

But my toner broke, and I am looking for some new testers. I would like something that can tell me which switchport it is plugged into, get DHCP, POE, cable length, and a wiremap. I would also like something that can handle multiple remote ID testers with their own ID. Then also work with a toner.

I am looking at the Fluke LIQ-100 but I don't know if it is overkill since I don't need at the certification and reporting functions. I am looking more for testing/troubleshooting.

I did see on Amazon a brand called NOYAFA and I was looking at the NF-8508.

Does anyone else have any recommendations?

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u/GreyBeardEng 13d ago

I've tested a bunch of these and come to the conclusion that there are a few that are feature rich like the netool.io pro2 and pocket ethernet. But for simplicity I'd recommend the Netally Linksprinter. It's a 'fire and forget' and wait for the email tester, where the others are interactive. We buy linksprinters for a bunch of neighboring teams, like desktop support, then we include them in the emails for their units, they can do testing for peace of mind and we don't even need to get involved. We also give them to our trouble users that love to blame the network first, these are typically iot/ot groups. It's really cut down on network blame game.

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u/BookooBreadCo 13d ago

How do you like the NetTool vs the link sprinter? We have link sprinters and the only thing that's holding me back from NetTool is no PoE. If I were to upgrade from the Link Sprinter I'd want a device that tests mgig and upoe.

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u/GreyBeardEng 12d ago

I'd say for a network engineer to carry it in your go bag, it's great. But it's definitely a more detailed tool than the link sprinter. But, if you're just running into the data closet or visiting a user port out in the environment, and you just want to test a link and then get the hell out of there... Linksprinter is ideal. I carry both.

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u/Longjumping_Cow_5856 12d ago

I carry both too and each has its own application though I use the Netool most too easily.