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Chapter 18: Software and Hardware ToolsInstructor:

Chapter 18 Objectives• The Following CompTIA Network+ Exam Objectives Are

Covered in This Chapter:

4.2 Given a scenario, use appropriate hardware tools

to troubleshoot connectivity issues.• Cable tester• Cable certifier• Crimper• Butt set• Toner probe• Punch down tool• Protocol analyzer• Loopback plug• TDR• OTDR• Multimeter• Environmental monitor

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Network Scanners

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• Network scanner has become a broad term often referring to a family of tools used to analyze our networks

• Network scanners refer mainly to these three tools:– Packet sniffers– Intrusion Detection System / Intrusion Prevention System

(IDS/IPS) software– Port scanners

Network Scanners

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• Packet Sniffers

– Packet sniffers actually look inside every packet on a network segment.

– Packet sniffers come in many flavors, and some of them, like Microsoft’s Network Monitor (NetMon) or Wireshark, are even free

– The basic purpose of packet sniffers (or a network analyzer) is to collect and analyze individual packets captured on a specific network segment to determine if problems like bottlenecks, retransmissions, and security breaches are present.

Network Scanners

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• Intrusion Detection and Prevention Software (IDS/IPS)

– IDS detects unwanted attempts to manipulate network systems and/or environments

– IPS is a computer-security device that monitors network and/or system activities for strange or malicious behavior

– Snort is one of the more popular IDS/IPS software products

– Cisco offers an Adaptive Security Appliance (ASA) as a hardware enterprise solution

A stack of Cisco ASA’s potentially protecting a network:

Network Scanners

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• Intrusion Detection and Prevention Software (IDS/IPS) implementations are typically placed in the network where you’re most interested in data compromise evaluation:

Network Scanners

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• Port Scanners

– A port scanner is a software tool designed to search a host for open ports.

– A portscan is the act of scanning for Transport Control Protocol (TCP) and UDP open ports on a single target host.

– port sweeping means scanning multiple hosts on a network for a specific listening TCP or UDP port

Network Scanners

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• A program named Network Mapper (Nmap) can be used as a port scanner

Network Scanners

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• Angry IP is a providing both IP-scanning and port-scanning abilities.

• Angry IP is not as complex as Nmap and extremely easy to use (a free open source program as well)

Hardware Tools

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• Cable Testers

– Cable-testing tools can range from simple, inexpensive mechanical devices to elaborate electronic testers that automatically supply you with test results

An inexpensive cable tester

Loopback Plug

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• A loopback test is a diagnostic procedure in which a signal is transmitted and returned to the sending device after passing through all or a portion of a network or circuit

Hardware Tools

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• Wire-Map Testers

– A wire-map tester is a device that transmits signals through each wire in a copper twisted-pair cable to determine if it’s connected to the correct pin at the other end.

• Continuity Testers

– A continuity tester is an even simpler and less expensive device than a wire-map tester that’s designed to check a copper cable connection for basic installation problems like opens, shorts, and crossed pairs.

Hardware Tools

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• Protocol Analyzer

– A protocol analyzer is often confused with a packet sniffer because some products really are both.

– A packet sniffer looks at all traffic on a network segment.

– A protocol analyzer analyzes protocols.

• Certifiers

– Certification testers or certifiers are used to determine whether your network meets specific International Organization for Standardization (ISO) or TIA standards.

Hardware Tools

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• Time-Domain Reflectometer (TDR)

– A time-domain reflectometer (TDR) is a tool that finds and describes faults in metallic cables like twisted wire pairs and coaxial cables.

• Optical Time-Domain Reflectometer (OTDR)

– An optical time-domain reflectometer (OTDR) is an optoelectronic instrument used to give you information about optical fibers.

We use OTDRs to give us information about the following:

The fiber’s estimated length Its overall attenuation The location of faults

Hardware Tools

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• Multimeter

– A multimeter or a multitester (also called a volt/ohm meter [VOM]) is a multitasking electronic measuring instrument.

– Used to troubleshoot electrical problems in a wide array of electrical devices like batteries, motor controls, appliances, power supplies, and wiring.

Hardware Tools

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• Toner Probe

– A toner probe, also called a tone generator, is a simple copper cable tester that is simple to use and can be used to trace a wire in a wall.

Hardware Tools

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• Butt Set

– A butt set essentially a portabletelephone that allows you to testand monitor analog lines.

• Punch-Down Tool

– Twisted-pair cable usually terminated in wiring closets usinga tool known as a punch-down tool.

Hardware Tools

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• Crimper

– A wire crimper, often simply called crimper, is a handy tool found in most network technicians’ tool bags.

– Crimpers are primarily used for attaching ends onto different types of network cables via a process known as crimping.

• Cable Stripper/Snips– Before you can crimp a connector onto the end of a

wire, you have to strip the cable with a type of cable stripper (or snips) and then properly put the wires into the connector.

Hardware Tools

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• Voltage Event Recorder

– A voltage event recorder can troubleshoot and even provide preventative maintenance on your entire electrical system.

• Temperature Monitor

– Temperature systems can provide multiple sensors feeding data to a single control point.

– We can much more accurately track the temperature in our server rooms dynamically in real time.

Environmental Monitors

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• Designed to monitor the temperate, humidity, and air flow in an area or in a device.

• Temperature /Humidity Monitor

– Systems can provide multiple sensors feeding data to a single control point.

– We can much more accurately track the temperature in our server rooms dynamically in real time.

Summary

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• Summary

• Exam Essentials Section

• Written Labs

• Review Questions