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PRODUCT REVIEW Trend Networks R180000 Tone and Probe Kit PRODUCT REVIEW PRODUCT REVIEWPRODUCT RE Atone generator and probe kit is an essential piece of equipment for all professional cable guys. It allows them to trace, identify and verify data, telephone, coax and electrical cable runs, identify unlabelled cables and quickly troubleshoot faulty connections. There’s no shortage of kits on today’s market but the Trend Networks R180000 Tone and Probe Kit stands out for a number of sound reasons. It offers a power output of 11dBm (decibel milliwatts) meaning it can trace any copper cable over long distances, the higher amplifier gain of the probe enabling users to pick up weak signals and trace the cable with ease. The Tone generator’s multi resistance range of continuity tests make judging the resistance range of the cable a simple affair, and the unbalanced pair applying tone on RJ45 socket pins increases the radiation of the tone. The kit’s ergonomic design makes it very easy to use and its rugged build quality allows it to go where other kits fear to tread. The kit comprises the Trend Networks R180002 tone generator, the R180001 amplifier probe, a short RJ-45 to RJ-11 adapter cable and a crocodile to RJ-45 patch cord for connecting to unterminated wires. It’s all neatly packed into a sturdy carry case with a Velcro strap for belt attachment. Constructed of high-impact plastic, the palm-sized tone generator has an RJ-45 port at the top and two buttons on its upper surface for selecting the test modes and tone patterns. The test mode button is used to swap between tone generation and continuity tests while the tone pattern button offers two warble speeds and is also used to power the unit off. Plenty of LEDs are provided with upper ones for reverse and normal polarity and another for voltage indication, tone generation, continuity test and Talk Set power status. The Line 2 LED indicates a voltage has been detected and a smart safety feature will illuminate when the unit is turned off to indicate a voltage is present on the cable under test. Running continuity tests is easy as you short the wires at the far end of the circuit and select this test from the tone generator’s mode button. Audio and visual cues are provided as the unit indicates the resistance of the circuit by emitting a continuous sound or a series of beeps, while the dedicated continuity LED will be solidly lit or will use different patterns of flashes also based on the measured resistance. The R180001 amplifier probe is an equally well constructed plastic wand. Tone detection is activated by pressing the large yellow button and an LED below the tip shows the signal strength. A volume wheel is located on the right side and we were impressed with how loud the probe’s integral speaker was. Operation in noisy data centres won’t be a problem either as the probe has a headphone jack socket on the left side. Beneath the probe’s tip is a high-intensity white LED so you can find your way in dingy wiring cabinets, and we liked the central button design as we could activate tone detection and the torch together with our thumb. Another useful feature is that the probe tip is secured with one screw, so a broken one can be easily replaced. For cable tracing, the kit is easy to use and we barely referred to the manuals when testing the lab’s Ethernet cable infrastructure. With the tone generator plugged into the lab’s network points, we had no problems tracing the other ends in our rack cabinet cable bundles as the probe clearly identified them. The 180000 Tone and Probe Kit will be an invaluable ally for installers and engineers as it provides a wealth of cable tracing and testing functions in a compact and rugged package. It’s very easy to use, provides plenty of audio and visual assistance during tests and at £99 for the complete package, is an absolute bargain. NC Product: R180000 Tone and Probe Kit Supplier: Trend Networks Web site: www.trend-networks.com Tel: +44 (0)1925 428 380 Price: £99 exc VAT 14 NETWORKcomputing NOVEMBER/DECEMBER 2021 @NCMagAndAwards WWW.NETWORKCOMPUTING.CO.UK
FEATURE: SASE CUTTING THROUGH THE NOISE TO FIND YOUR PERFECT SASE PROVIDER MIKE WOOD, CMO AT VERSA NETWORKS OFFERS HIS ADVICE ON SELECTING THE BEST SECURE ACCESS SERVICE EDGE VENDOR FOR YOUR BUSINESS Remote and hybrid working is one of the most discussed topics in business today - and this is likely to continue over the next few years. As soon as this working practice was deployed nationwide there has been a constant struggle for businesses to achieve optimum network connectivity while maintaining sufficient network security. Essentially, remote working has been one big tug of war; connectivity on one side, security on the other. In response to this struggle, businesses have been approached by vendors across the globe, all offering different solutions for their remote working conundrums. A popular choice is Secure Access Service Edge (SASE), a model of perfect synergy between network and security, combining solutions like Zero Trust and Firewall-as-a-Service into a single cloud-based service. For businesses that have battled with finding the optimum balance during the pandemic, and those still searching, SASE becomes that all important silver lining. However, with so many vendors now claiming to offer SASE, it can be an arduous task trying to find the perfect solution. WHAT INDUSTRY CHALLENGES ARE BUSINESSES FACING? Unfortunately for businesses, choosing a new security solution is not like simply browsing through a catalogue and picking one that looks the part. There are several factors to consider relating to current and ongoing challenges in the industry. Aside from user experience and security, IT teams must also strike the right balance between other factors, such as network visibility and cost. Since the shift to remote working, IT teams found themselves responsible for overseeing the maintenance of all devices and applications spread across the country. Without sufficient visibility, the time to identify and locate an issue or vulnerability greatly increases and risks interfering with both security effectiveness and business performance. Above all else, however, is the pressure to meet company demands without an increase in budget or resources. The most direct option would simply be to employ more staff and allocate each a single area of focus, but very few have that luxury. Suddenly, it's easy to see why the demand for solutions like SASE has exploded. WHAT SHOULD BUSINESSES BE LOOKING FOR IN A SASE PROVIDER? Before entering into any agreement with a provider, businesses should first consider their top priorities and what they want to get out of their solution. Some vendors will promise you the world, but the trick is to look past the sales barrier and ask the important questions. In our new hybrid world, flexibility and visibility are two must-haves for any network solution. Teams should set their sights on SASE options that deliver a cloud-native architecture that encompasses everything on one single management console to maintain and monitor the network from any location. Finding a solution that will slot comfortably into existing security stacks is ideal for organisations needing to update their systems quickly, without jeopardising network performance. As most businesses are made up of a combination of on-premises and cloud infrastructure, it's essential to choose a vendor that can confidently offer multiple implementation delivery options for any location and device. Further, it's worth enquiring about capabilities of integrating data loss prevention (DLP) technology as a cloud, multi-cloud and on-premises function to deliver the necessary protection and visibility over sensitive data. Finally, futureproofing is everything. Businesses are constantly evolving and growing, so technology must be able to move with it. The latest security stacks must be able to integrate future technologies that are frequently entering the market, such as Internet of Things (IoT) and 5G, to help businesses keep up with the latest demands. Additionally, for small businesses with growth in their sights, the ability to scale solutions as and when needed is a key requirement. It's all very well choosing a provider that can support your systems when you're a 50-person company, but what about when you reach 200? Scalability will set apart those vendors that can provide a successful long-term service and partnership. Choosing a SASE provider does not have to be a long and complicated decision, but equally it shouldn't be rushed. Taking the time to sift through all the options to find that needle in a haystack will guarantee businesses a strong and long-term solution for their network performance and cybersecurity. NC WWW.NETWORKCOMPUTING.CO.UK @NCMagAndAwards NOVEMBER/DECEMBER 2021 NETWORKcomputing 15
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Page 7 and 8: INDUSTRY NEWS With support for WPA3
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NC Nov-Dec 2021

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