LinkIQ™ Cable+Wi-Fi+Network Tester

The LinkIQ tester is capable of measuring lengths up to 305 meters (1000 feet) and provides distance to faults such as opens, shorts, and unterminated cable. Using the remote ID allows for a complete wire map of the cable pairs which helps identify miswired and split pairs. The primary cable testing feature of LinkIQ tester is the cable performance test which qualifies the cabling bandwidth from 10BASE-T to 10GBASE-T (10 Mb/s up to 10 Gb/s). It performs these tests via frequency-based measurements. Using IEEE-standards-based measurements ensures that tested links meet performance requirements as opposed to transmission testers which only prove that the specific test devices can communicate over the link.

Operators may set performance requirements from 10 Mb/s to 10 Gb/s for a simple pass/fail indication.

Left: Cable test without remote attached shows length and pairing of each wire. Center: Cable test with remote attached shows remote ID number 5, length and pairing of each wire, and cable performance of up to 10 Gb/s. Right: Cable test with remote attached shows remote ID number 1, length and pairing of each wire and cable performance of up to 2.5 Gb/s but failed the test due to a user-set limit of 10 Gb/s performance.

Along with the robust cable testing features, the LinkIQ tester also provides detailed information on the nearest connected switch and connectivity testing with IP ping. The LinkIQ tester negotiates with the switch to identify the advertised data rate (up to 10GBASE-T), half/full duplex identification, the switch name and IP address, port number, and VLAN info.

Switch port test shows switch name and IP address, connected port, and VLAN (separate screen) along with advertised speed and duplex settings. If a ping test is configured, the target address and average response time are shown. Scroll down to show Power over Ethernet results.

The ping test verifies connectivity to devices on the local network or the internet and supports both IPv4 and v6. The address of the LinkIQ tester may be set up manually or through DHCP. Once set, the ping test runs as part of the Autotest when a switch is detected. Results of the ping test include identification and response time of each of four pings to the target, the DNS server, and gateway.

Ping result screen shows response time to target for each of four pings. Scroll down to display DHCP, DNS, and gateway information.

While Power over Ethernet makes installation of devices such as security cameras and access points simpler, a survey by the Ethernet Alliance of over 800 installers, integrators, and end users found that four of five respondents experienced difficulties in integrating PoE systems. Part of this can be traced to the fact that the IEEE offers three PoE standards, the term PoE is not registered, and there are a variety of non-standards-compliant implementations.

Switch port Power over Ethernet settings shows pairs used, power and class available and results of the PoE test under load.

To simplify PoE installation and troubleshooting, the LinkIQ tester shows the pairs where power is provided, including the different power levels and pairs for dual-signature implementations. Further, the LinkIQ tester will actually place a load on the connection to ensure that the advertised power is actually being delivered by the switch across the cabling infrastructure. The LinkIQ tester has been certified by the Ethernet Alliance to IEEE-802.3™ standards for reliable multivendor interoperability.

The LinkIQ tester provides complete documentation abilities for the tests it performs. Up to 1,000 results can be given descriptive names and stored and recalled in the tester. Test names and numbers automatically increment as each is saved: Annex B-1, Annex B-2, Annex B-3, etc. which saves time when testing cables in sequence.

Report data may be exported to a PC for documentation purposes. The LinkIQ tester uses LinkWare™ PC, Fluke Networks’ reporting software which supports a variety of testers going back 20 years and is the industry’s leading reporting solution with tens of thousands of active users. LinkWare PC can be used to store the results as well as generate PDF reports.

Use LinkWare PC to generate PDF test reports.

Like today’s smartphone, the LinkIQ is based on a gesture-based touchscreen that takes up nearly all the face of the instrument.  This makes it easy to display a large amount of information and provide clear, simple controls such as sliders and a full keyboard. While the LinkIQ can perform a variety of tests, the user interface is simplified so that there is a single TEST function.  The results displayed are determined solely by what is connected to the unit’s single “RJ-45” connector. A single USB-C port provides connectivity to a computer for future software updates, reporting, and charging the unit. Like other Fluke Networks products, the LinkIQ is designed and tested in our environmental lab to ensure its ruggedness including vibration, temperature, humidity, electrostatic discharge and drop tests.

• Language support for English, German, French, Japanese, Thai, Spanish, Traditional Chinese, Simplified Chinese, Korean, Russian, Italian, Portuguese, Czech, Danish, Dutch, Finnish, Norwegian, Polish, Swedish, and Turkish
• Generates analog or digital tones compatible with the IntelliTone™ or Pro3000™ probe to assist in locating cables in a wall or telecommunications room
• Blink Port light on switch to help identify the connected switch port
• Compatible with MicroScanner™ PoE Remote Identifiers for Ethernet outlet identification
• Touch Sensitive gesture-based display
• Rechargeable Li-Ion battery
• Easy Feature and Network Testing Upgrades via USB-C using LinkWare™ PC
• Charging via standard USB-C port

All LinkIQ models include mainframe and accessories.

The LinkIQ Duo tester makes it easy to understand the Wi-Fi environment by running a complete suite of tests and displaying the results the way you want to view them: by networks, channels, or access points. Choosing a specific item (such as an access point listed under a specific network) changes seamlessly to that view. The LinkIQ Duo tester also flags common configuration errors including:

• use of an illegal channel for the detected region
• use of a non-recommended channel
• access points that overlap with an adjacent access point unless one is low power
• weak security settings

The Networks test displays a list of available networks (SSIDs) by name along with encryption, technology supported, and the number of access points in range supporting each network. Tap a network to view a detailed list of all radios in range that support the network including BSSID and band/channel. The LinkIQ Duo tester can test a specific network / access point combination by tracking signal strength and data rates over time. Details about a specific access point can be accessed from here as well.

Left: Network detail showing nearest AP, signal strength, radios, band/channel summary, technology, and encryption. Right: Access point test shows signal strength and data rates over time.

The Access Point test displays a list of available access points by name or BSSID, with a summary of channels/bands and networks supported along with encryption types. Touching an access point allows tracking of signal strength and channel utilization for each radio in the AP.

Left: List of access points, that show the name or BSSID, supported networks (SSID) band/channel, and encryption type. Right: AP detail shows radio bands/channels and supported networks.

For the channel test, select a band (2.4 GHz, 5 GHz, or 6 GHz) and see the utilization, AP signal strength and number of APs on each channel. Select the unique Channel Overlap view to see how many and which AP’s are on or interfering with a given channel as well as their signal strength. Touch a channel to see utilization over time and which APs are on or interfering with that channel.

Left: Utilization of each channel on the 5 GHz bandwidth showing AP’s and overlap for each. Right: Details of an individual channel show the utilization over time and details of radios on that overlap with that channel.

Research shows that the most common causes of Industrial Ethernet failures are cable related. The LinkIQ-IE Industrial Ethernet Remote Adapter allows for a complete wire map of the cable pairs to identify miswired and split pairs on RJ45, M12X, M12D, and M8D terminated cables. Distance to opens and shorts are shown, and remote identifiers can be used to determine which cable goes where. The LinkIQ tester supports EtherNet/IP, PROFINET, EtherCAT, and other Industrial Ethernet cables and qualifies the bandwidth from 10BASE-T to 10GBASE-T (10 Mb/s up to 10 Gb/s).

When you invest in the best equipment, you want your money to go as far as possible. Add Fluke Premium Care to provide coverage above and beyond your tool’s original product warranty, so you don’t need to worry about unexpected downtime caused by damaged test equipment, accessories, or tools in need of calibration or repair.

Learn more about Fluke Premium care at www.fluke.com/premiumcare.

1. RJ45 Port for connection to cable or switch port
2. Internal antenna for Wi-Fi radio supporting 2.4 GHz, 5 GHz, and 6 GHz bands (LinkIQ Duo model only)
3. PASS/FAIL frequency-based measurement results
4. Touch Screen Color Display
5. Length measurement shows distance to termination, open, or short
6. Wire map shows type and location of fault (miswires, split pairs, shorts, breaks)
7. USB-C port for data export, software updates and charging
8. Cable performance to 10 Gb/s shown in speedometer format
9. Save up to 1000 test results on the unit and export to LinkWare™ PC