High Performance Three-Port Switch For Managed Ethernet Systems

A method for running diagnostic checks for a network cable in a communication system comprising:

• selecting a network cable to be diagnosed;
• providing a first network device connected to a first end of the network cable, the first network device having a first port and a first toggle switch associated with the first port, the network cable connected to the first network device at the first port, the first toggle switch configured to reversibly connect the first end of the network cable to the a first network management port;
• providing a second network device connected to a second end of the network cable, the second network device having a second port and a second toggle switch associated with the second port, the network cable connected to the second network device at the second port, the second toggle switch configured to reversibly connect the second end of the network cable to a second network management port;
• providing a network management system in communication the first and second network management port and configured to isolate and run diagnostics checks on the network cable;
• switching the connection of the first network device at the first port from the network cable to the first network management port;
• switching the connection of the second network device at the second port from the network cable to the second network management port;
• and
• running diagnostics checks on the network cable.