Network link tester device configured to selectively and automatically couple to a network transmit pair line or a node transmit pair line of a LAN port and determine available operational modes

A method of using a LAN tester to test the link capability of a local area network, comprising:

• coupling the LAN tester to a node transmit pair line and a network transmit pair line at a port on the local area network;
• scanning the node transmit pair line of the port and detecting any link signals thereon, and if none present, automatically scanning the network transmit pair line of the port and detecting any link signals thereon;
• determining the available operational modes for any detected link signals;
• and
• displaying the available operational modes.

A link tester for testing a local area network from a LAN port comprising:

• a housing;
• displays means on the housing;
• an RJ-45 connector on the housing for coupling to the LAN port, the LAN port cabled to an unknown far end termination of the local area network;
• link signal detection means for scanning the cable to determine if the far end termination is a computer device or a network device, the determination being indicated by the display means;
• link signal identification means for identifying the operational mode available at the far end termination, the available operational modes being indicated by the display means;
• tone generation means for generating a tone on the cable if no device is found at the far end termination, the tone for use with a tone probe for finding a physical fault on the cable;
• link signal pattern generation means for generating and transmitting a link signal pattern to a device at the far end termination, the link signal pattern causing the device to indicate that a communication link has been established;
• and
• responsive link signal generation means for generating and transmitting a responsive link signal to the device at the far end termination, the responsive link signal for configuring the device to a single operational mode selected from the available operational modes.