220-1201 Networking Study Guide for the CompTIA A+ Core Series Exam

Networking Tools

For the CompTIA A+ exam, you should be able to evaluate a set of network requirements in a given scenario and select the best network tool for the job.

Crimper

A crimper is used to connect a connector to a cable. In many situations, it is not practical to use cables of a fixed length, and it is also easier to run cable without the connectors on it. So, the cable is run and cut to the desired length, and then the connector is crimped onto the cable using a crimper. There are different types of crimpers for Ethernet, coaxial, and fiber-optic cables.

Cable Stripper

Cable strippers are used to remove the insulation from the end of a cable before the connector is crimped onto it.

Wi-Fi Analyzer

A Wi-Fi analyzer is used to design, optimize, or troubleshoot a Wi-Fi network. This device identifies strong and weak spots in wireless coverage. It is a way to visualize Wi-Fi network coverage.

Toner Probe

These devices are used to locate cables in a wiring closet. The tone generator is typically placed at the user end, and a probe is waved around in the wiring closet to locate the connection. It will make a distinctive noise when it is near the correct cable.

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Punchdown Tool

A punchdown tool is used to connect the exposed ends of a wire into a wiring harness.

Cable Tester

This device is used to certify that the cable meets the standards of the wiring code and to ensure it can be used for communication. It will identify broken wires or missing pin connections.

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Loopback Plug

A loopback plug is a special cable that is wired to transmit and receive on a single connector. There are loopback plugs for different types of connectors, such as USB or Ethernet, for testing network interface cards.

Network Tap

A network tap (sometimes TAP is said to stand for “test access port”) is a hardware device that creates a copy of network traffic for use by monitoring devices without interfering with network traffic. A network tap can be easily moved from location to location to identify problems.