Possible to use a network cable tester to temporarily connect two cat6 cables?

Forums › LAN (ethernet/Wifi/routers/Bluetooth) › Possible to use a network cable tester to temporarily connect two cat6 cables?

geekIT

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#318009 6-Dec-2024 08:20

Need to test a network circuit for continuity but can't find my RJ45 coupler. Will a cable tester provide a temporary but permanent bridge that would permit a continuous file like a movie to be transmitted? Or is the tester only an intermittent connecter?

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mentalinc

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#3317443 6-Dec-2024 08:38

That's some red-neck level networking kit.

Will a cable tester act as a bridge.. Kinda invested to see if it works.

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geekIT

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#3317455 6-Dec-2024 09:56

What I should have said is that I want to temporarily join two cat6 cables together but don't have a coupler (or a spare switch).

Would a network tester act as a temporary coupler (and permit the transmission of a continuous file like a movie) or is it only intermittent signals that pass through it?

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nitro

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#3317456 6-Dec-2024 09:58

if it doesn't, and i don't expect it too... can you not test to the ends that you're trying to bridge together? not quite the same as it will be 2 runs you're testing, but you'll get verification on that.

geekIT

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#3317458 6-Dec-2024 10:06

Mmm, no. What's happening is that I have a suspect gigabit switch and I want to temporarily bypass it.

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toejam316

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#3317460 6-Dec-2024 10:14

I can't imagine a network tester would work like that, although I haven't tried to validate - can't just pop out to the local electrical wholesaler/PB and pick up a coupler for a few bucks?

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geekIT

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#3317734 7-Dec-2024 10:27

toejam316: Thanks. It was just a thought. Turned out I had to go to Invercargill anyway (50k) so I bought some couplers from Jaycar.

My LAN is complicated - it connects four computers in three rooms, several tablets and phones, fibre internet, TV, Sky box, two Vero media players, three gigabit switches, and a fibre optic connection to a Sony amp that feeds two headsets. Normally an excellent system. But when there's a fault - like now - it can be a headscratcher. Anyway, now I can use the couplers to bypass some components and hopefully isolate the fault.

Thanks for all contributions.

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Goosey

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#3317751 7-Dec-2024 11:39

Are all three switches plugged into the router independently?
i.e. not daisy chained?

geekIT

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#3317965 8-Dec-2024 12:16

Goosey:Are all three switches plugged into the router independently?
i.e. not daisy chained?

Yes, all are separate. However, after drawing a coherent plan of the LAN, I was able to experiment with alternative connections and found that a 5-port TP LInk switch was faulty. I bypassed it with a temporary hookup and all is well.

Again, thanks to all who've commented :-)

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geekIT

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#3317980 8-Dec-2024 14:07

Here's a PS to my previous post. Thought I'd add this in case someone finds it useful.

Many modems can be used as a switch. One of the switches in my setup is the old Spark HG659B that was previously my broadband modem before I got fiber. The fiber line goes into the blue socket, making the four yellow sockets available for outputs. It needs to be powered on, of course.

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