Hardware-based troubleshooting tools

Let’s first investigate some of the common hardware devices used to troubleshoot and repair both copper-based and fiber-based networks:

• Crimper: A crimper is a tool used to attach copper cables to connectors. In modern networks, this is most often used to attach a twisted-pair copper cable to RJ45 connectors, but crimpers also exist for other types of copper cables. The main purpose of a crimper is to press electrical contacts down into the individual copper cables, thereby establishing electrical connectivity between the cables and the connectors. Additionally, they press the plastic hammer down onto the outer sheath of the cable, thereby fixing the connector to the cable. Crimpers usually contain parts to peel the outer sheath and trim the length of the individual copper wires.

The following photo shows a crimping tool:

Figure 17.5 – Network crimper/crimping tool

• Cable tester: After copper...