MANUAL Version 1.0: June 10, 2021 itnetworks.softing.
This page intentionally left blank platinumtools.
CONTENTS CONTENTS ........................................................................................................................................................................... 3 INTRODUCTION ................................................................................................................................................................... 5 SAFETY INSTRUCTIONS .........................................................................................................................
TOOLS ................................................................................................................................................................................ 49 Wiremap & Margin (Copper) ..................................................................................................................................... 50 Port Discovery (Copper) ...........................................................................................................................................
INTRODUCTION The NetXpert XG2 cable qualifier is a complete solution for network cabling tests. It quickly and easily tests and documents whether a cabling link is suitable for operation of up to 10 Gigabit Ethernet in accordance with IEEE 802.3. To do this, the NetXpert XG2 checks for errors in the cabling as well as the signal-to-noise ratio and data transmission capability of Ethernet network cabling up to 10Gbit/s.
I N TR O D U C TI O N SAFETY INSTRUCTIONS To ensure safe operation of the NetXpert XG2, please carefully follow the instructions and observe the warning information in this manual. Failure to do so may damage the tester and cause serious injury or even death. Symbol ! Voltage Definition Warning/Caution: Risk of personal injury or equipment damage Warning: Risks could result in injury or death Conformite Europeenne.
I N TR O D U C TI O N DEVICE STRUCTURE Main device Active Remote On/Off button Display Status Button – Check battery & view test results Test Button – Start test remotely on main unit Vents RJ45 test and measurement port USB port Connection for charger platinumtools.
I N TR O D U C TI O N SCOPE OF DELIVERY Standard NetXpert XG2 1 NetXpert XG2 Main Unit 1 NetXpert XG2 Active Remote 2 plug-in power supplies 2 Cat6A test cables 1 quick reference guide 1 carrying case Figure 1 - NetXpert XG2 with Active Remote NetXpert XG2 Fiber Kit 2 NetXpert XG2 Main Units 2 NetXpert XG2 Active Remotes 4 plug-in power supplies 4 Cat6A test cables 2 quick reference guides 2 carrying cases OPERATION Figure 2 - NetXpert XG2 Basic Kit NetXpert XG2 main device On/Off • The NetXpert XG2 is
I N TR O D U C TI O N • Briefly pressing the On/Off button puts the NetXpert XG2 to sleep. • Holding down the On/Off button switches off the NetXpert XG2. Automatic shutdown The NetXpert XG2 automatically goes to sleep to conserve battery power if there is no input or activity on the device - see chapter Energy for automatic shutdown of the display and the device. Touchscreen The NetXpert XG2 utilizes its large touchscreen for operation. The only hard button is the on/off power button.
I N TR O D U C TI O N Icons Tapping on this icon will hide or display the menu on the left Tapping on this icon will take you back to the home screen Shows in which mode the device is and serves for switching Shows the strength of the WLAN connection The battery indicator shows the level of the battery This icon in the battery display indicates that the NetXpert XG2 is charged via an external power supply By clicking on this, icon you can reach the cable test screen By clicking on this icon you can reach t
I N TR O D U C TI O N NetXpert XG2 Active Remote device • Pressing the Status button displays the charge level of the Active Remote battery and the last test result. • Pressing the Test button starts a qualification test from the Active Remote. Figure 5 – NetXpert XG2 Copper Remote Unit platinumtools.
I N TR O D U C TI O N REGISTER DEVICE To receive important firmware updates, news about new features and accessories, and to access technical support for your XG2, we ask that you register your device on our website at: https://platinumtools.com/XG2 Figure 6 – Product serial number location During the registration process you will be asked to supply the serial number of your XG2. This number can be found on the back of the main unit, in the area highlighted in gold in the image above.
SYSTEM SETTINGS Tap on the settings icon on the home screen to configure the NetXpert XG2. HW Config In the hardware configuration screen, the preferred medium can be selected for a networking test as well as a fiber optic cable test. It is also possible to find out detailed information on a SFP by simply inserting it in one of the two SFP cages.
Device Information Figure 8 - Networking interface The Interface Selection dropdown menu offers the choice of interface used for the active tests: • RJ45 port for copper - Auto-negotiation or fixed speed (Copper 10Gbps, Copper 5Gbps etc.
IP Settings Figure 9 - IP specifications (DHCP) In the NetXpert XG2's IP Setup, network tests can be configured so a DHCP or a fixed IP address can be used. The setting can also be made so that a DNS assigned by a DHCP server or a fixed DNS IP address is used. Pressing Network Test Screen takes you directly to the operating menu of the active tests. Figure 10 - IP specifications (Static IP) platinumtools.
S Y S TE M S E T TI N GS Wi-Fi Figure 11 - Wi-Fi scan result By selecting the Wi-Fi menu, a network scan automatically starts in the 2.4/5GHz band and it will display available SSIDs. The following SSID information is displayed: The name of the network, its signal strength and encryption methods. Figure 12 - Selection of the WiFi network and connection (entering the password) To join a WiFi network, highlight an SSID, select “Select SSID” and enter the password (if required).
S Y S TE M S E T TI N GS Figure 13 - Menu options after making a Wi-Fi connection After the connection is established, the connection data (SSID name and IP address) is displayed and all active network tests are available. The WiFi icon will be displayed in the header for the duration of the WiFi connection. The selection as test interface is made in the HW Config menu. VNC host functionality is available via the Enable/Disable VNC button.
S Y S TE M S E T TI N GS Language Figure 14 - Language setting Select the desired language for the user interface. Changing the language also changes the keyboards accordingly. Date Time Figure 15 - Date and time Set the current time and date. You can also set whether the time should be displayed in 12- or 24-hour format and the date in the usual formats. This date will be applied to the test protocols and should match the actual test date. platinumtools.
S Y S TE M S E T TI N GS Energy Figure 16 - Energy saving settings To save energy and extend battery life, you can adjust the screen brightness and the time until standby/auto switch-off. To do so, move the brightness slider to the left/right or change the time until standby and auto switch-off when not in use. Reactivation from standby is then possible at any time using the On/Off button or by tapping the screen of the NetXpert XG2. platinumtools.
S Y S TE M S E T TI N GS Standards Figure 17 - Setting the units and cabling standards In the Standards menu screen, you can choose whether to display the length in meters or feet. The NetXpert XG2 supports the two cabling standards. Select TIA568A or TIA568B. This affects the representations of the cabling image. More Options Pressing this button will take you to the second page of the System Settings screen. platinumtools.
S Y S TE M S E T TI N GS Reports Figure 18 - Basic settings for test reports In the reports menu screen you can personalize your reports, enter the name of your company, the technician name, your contact details and a company logo here. To save a company logo, connect a USB stick with your company logo to the device and tap on Import Logo. This opens a file browser where you can navigate to your logo file on the USB stick and select the logo.
S Y S TE M S E T TI N GS Firmware Figure 19 - Firmware management The firmware menu screen provides information about the currently installed firmware version. You can also update the NetXpert XG2 firmware using this screen. Regular firmware updates are for troubleshooting purposes or contain simple free performance enhancements. They are freely available through the Platinum Tools website and are offered at regular intervals: platinumtools.
S Y S TE M S E T TI N GS Hardware Figure 20 - Hardware status The hardware menu screen provides information about the installed hardware in the device, including the board revision and the serial number of the device. In addition, internal temperatures and battery charge level are displayed. platinumtools.
S Y S TE M S E T TI N GS About Us Figure 21 - Support contact information The About Us menu screen lists the worldwide contact information for Platinum Tools and Softing IT Networks in case you need product support or have requests. In addition, the EULA (End User License Agreement), which appears when you first start the device, can be viewed again here. platinumtools.
S Y S TE M S E T TI N GS Licensing Figure 22 - License management All NetXpert XG2 units sold in North America by Platinum Tools come fully licensed for both copper and fiber testing at 10G speed. No further licensing is needed. platinumtools.
CABLE TEST Before performing a cable test, you must set the mode of the main unit according to the cable under test. You can do this in the upper left corner of the home screen. If you want to test copper cables, the main unit must be in Cu mode. If you want to test fiber optic cables, you must set the main unit to the fiber optic mode. To change the modes, tap on the green slider.
From the home screen, select Cable Test to get to the cable test menu. From there, other project-specific settings can be made. You can also start a new test run from here. Figure 25 - Cable test screen after successful test run - Cu Figure 26 - Cable test screen after successful test run - FO On the left side is the cable test menu. The cable list shows a typical test sequence one after the other and, if already populated, the list of cables tested/to be tested.
Icon Legend Projects + Reports Create a new project and enter specifications such as customer name or location. After completion or during the project, the report creation is also started here. Cable Type Configure the test parameters for the tests to be performed here. Cable Labeling Define how the individual measurements should be named so than can more easily be found and assigned later. Cable Test This menu starts the test runs and displays the results.
C A B L E TES T Projects + Reports Once the feature is enabled, tap on the Projects + Reports icon to include customer information, create new test files, and cable test reports. Figure 27 - Project settings with sample projects In this screen, you can select from existing projects or create a new project and make project-specific settings. Here you can enter the customer name and location of the project and define the format in which the tests are to be output.
C A B L E TES T Cable Type Tap on the Cable Type icon on the left to configure the various test parameters. Here you can select, create, and change the cable type to be tested and the desired test parameters. Figure 28 - Cable types and test parameters - Cu The menu screen is divided into three main sections: On the left is the default cable type list with templates for the creation of test standards.
C A B L E TES T Figure 29 - Cable types and test parameters - FO To change between copper and fiber interface, press the copper or fiber button above the cable type list. The cable type icon will change to FO and the menu screen will split into two main areas. On the left side the already implemented templates appear again. On the right side you will find information about name, speed, type, core diameter and active SFP port.
C A B L E TES T Figure 30 - Cable Labeling • To define cable names for creating a test list, you can use the label buttons to insert individual variables into the name. Any number of name fields can be used from the selection list, and multiple separator characters can also be used. The order of the name components depends on the order of selection of the field name. • In order for the cable test list to automatically increment, the cable ID number must be present in the name.
C A B L E TES T Cable Test Figure 31 - Test screen with tested and untested cables - Cu • The test screen appears when the Cable Test icon is selected. The cable test gives an overview of the cables tested or to be tested. You can start a new test from here and see the results of the already-completed tests. • After pressing the Test button, a full test run with the selected cable name is performed. The next free cable is always selected from the list or when a new one is added below.
C A B L E TES T Figure 32 - Test setup for passive qualification test on copper links Figure 29 - Test screen with tested and untested cables - FO • When testing fiber cables, you can decide whether these two parameters are included in the test by setting a check mark in the Loss & Length key. If they are included in the test, they are displayed in a separate tab in the top bar. • Loss and length are purely informative parameters. If there is no BERT error, the test result is always a pass.
C A B L E TES T Figure 33 – Microscope menu • Before performing a test using a microscope, check the correct settings and the corresponding hardware by going to the Setup menu on the left side. Figure 34 – Mosaic menu • The Mosaic menu gives an overview of the connector end faces and their evaluation. Press one of the four fields to perform a microscope test of the corresponding fiber end. platinumtools.
C A B L E TES T Figure 35 – Microscope test of a connector end face • If the microscope is connected via USB and a live image of the microscope will appear on the screen. Insert the end of a fiber optic cable into the microscope until a clear image of the ferrule is displayed. • On the right side of the screen you can influence the Magnification of the image and take a snapshot by pressing the Freeze button. Use the Test button to start a pass/fail evaluation of the connector end face.
C A B L E TES T Figure 36 – Result View of Microscope test of a connector end face • After you run the test, the Live View changes to the Result View. • Here you have the option to hide the rating overlay and the rating table and to zoom in on the recording for better visual control. • Save the result as a mosaic image or Clear Result to delete it and return to the Live screen. • Press the Back button to return to the test screen and continue the test.
C A B L E TES T Set Reference To exclude the length measurement of patch cables, you can use Set Reference to determine the length of these cables and have the device automatically subtract them from the total length of the cable test. Set Reference Copper Figure 38 - Setting reference with or without test cords - Cu Tests can be carried out on cables with or without the use of patch cables, depending on the type of cable termination being used.
C A B L E TES T Figure 39 - Test setup for setting the reference - Cu Set Reference Fiber Figure 40 - Set Reference FO If you only want to perform a BERT test of fiber cables, it is not necessary to set a reference. If you want to test Loss & Length, you must set a reference first. Follow the instructions on the main unit, which are in the form of GIF's and explain the procedure. Each time the test setup changes, it is necessary to set a new reference.
C A B L E TES T Figure 41 - Set Reference FO Two patch cables and one fiber coupler are needed to perform a fiber set reference. In addition to the length values, set reference is done also for optical loss for fiber qualification. Fiber optic set reference steps are as follows: 1. Clean fiber connector ends of patch cords and test them using a microscope. 2. Connect two patch cords using a coupler and insert them in main and remote unit. 3.
NETWORK TESTS The NetXpert XG2 not only offers the ability to test passive cabling, but also checks active networks for function and locates the errors. It is suitable for use in commissioning an active network and simple diagnostics. In Network Tests mode, the NetXpert XG2 supports copper, fiber, and WiFi in both IPv4 and IPv6 environments. The device is connected either via the RJ45 copper connection, the SFP or SFP + connection for fiber optics or via WiFi by means of the internal antenna (in the 2.
N E T W O R K TE S T S Link Status Here is an overview of the connected network. The connection to the switch/router is established either via DHCP or static IP. While the NetXpert XG2 is establishing a connection, the connection link icon flashes in the top menu bar. If a connection is made, the link icon stops flashing and the link status details are displayed.
N E T W O R K TE S T S Discovery Network discovery identifies connected network participants and displays their broadcast information. All participants found in the subnet (if possible) are grouped accordingly. Figure 45 - Network detection (overview) There are two different ways of discovering network devices using Set to Passive / Active Mode.
N E T W O R K TE S T S Discovered addresses can be applied directly to the ping list of the following Ping function via Add to Ping List. Clear can be used to delete the entire list of found network stations and a new search can be triggered via Start Test. The list of found stations can also be saved directly in PDF and CSV format. Figure 46 - Network detection (list display with duplicate IP address) platinumtools.
N E T W O R K TE S T S Ping The Ping function can be used to save multiple IPv4/IPv6 or domain addresses and ping them continuously. Figure 47 - Ping list The ping list shows the sent requests and responses for all addresses as well as the shortest, longest, and average response time of the counterpart. The addresses in the list are either entered manually via the Add button or created as a takeover from the previous network detection process.
N E T W O R K TE S T S Traceroute Traceroute makes it possible to trace the path to a network destination. All network gateways are queried on the way to the destination, provided that they are displayed as available with IP address and the resulting delay is shown. Figure 48 - Traceroute Depending on the route traveled, a corresponding number of gateways is listed. Three data packets are sent and the corresponding response times are listed.
N E T W O R K TE S T S LLDP CDP LLDP/CDP The NetXpert XG2 is capable of detecting and evaluating LLDP (Link Layer Discovery Protocol) and CDP (Cisco Discovery Protocol) telegrams. Figure 49 - LLDP and CDP information Active components such as routers or managed switches may send LLDP or CDP broadcasts at regular intervals. This data is used for network management and gives status information about the components. Each device is displayed on a separate page.
N E T W O R K TE S T S VLAN More and more networks are using VLAN (Virtual Local Area Network tags) to segment networks. The NetXpert XG2 can detect VLAN IDs (tagged according to IEEE 8O2.1q) and display the available VLAN information. Figure 50 - VLAN detection The NetXpert XG2 is able to recognize broadcasted VLANs. Using a monitoring port on a managed switch is recommended.
TOOLS The Tools menu is accessible from the start screen and reflects the interface (copper or fiber). Different tools are available in copper and fiber optic mode, which can be used for quick tests, targeted troubleshooting or cable localization, for example. Copper: Wiremap & Margin Port Discovery Individual BERT test Tone Generator Link Light Fiber Optic: Individual BERT test Microscope Live Light Link Light platinumtools.
Wiremap & Margin (Copper) This function is used as a quick test to examine a copper cable for proper wiring, signal- to-noise ratio, and delay skew ensuring the ability to transmit a certain data rate. Figure 51 - Wiremap & Margin Select the appropriate cable speed for the cable being tested. For the most accurate length determination, the NVP value of the cable to be tested is required. Select Continuous Testing so the Test button does not have to be pressed before every run.
T OOL S Port Discovery (Copper) Port Discovery provides detailed information about supported Ethernet speeds and the PoE status on the switch port used. Figure 52 - Port detection The NetXpert XG2 displays the Ethernet speed of the current connection and the other advertised speeds of the port. The device performs a PoE evaluation on the port, which can also be performed as a single function (Run PoE only selection). The operating mode, polarity, PoE standard and the performance class are displayed.
T OOL S BERT test (Copper) The BERT test menu allows the user to run a Bit Error Rate Test at a specified speed and duration. Figure 53 - Individual BERT test Set the desired speed and the duration of the test. Select the test icon to begin the test. When the test is finished, the NetXpert XG2 will display a Green pass icon and the packet count.
T OOL S Tone Generator (Copper) The tone generator helps locate cables by providing an audible tone using tone probe/inductive receiver (e.g., TP250 from Platinum Tools). Figure 54 - Tone Generator Select on which pairs of wires the tone should be output. The individual pairs can be signaled either selectively, or all pairs at the same time. You can change the tone with the arrow buttons. There is a choice of high and low combination of tones to help locate a port or cable.
N E T W O R K TE S T S Link Light (Copper) To identify which port the NetXpert XG2 is connected to on a switch, the NetXpert XG2 can flash the link LED on the switch port. Figure 55 - Link Light Flashing The connected switch port is detected by a slowly flashing Link LED (O.5Hz). Select the desired flashing frequency and select Test. platinumtools.
Individual BERT test (Fiber Optic) The BERT test carried out during the qualification test can also be started separately here. Figure 56 - Individual BERT test Set the desired speed and the duration of the test. Select the test icon to begin the test. When the test is finished, the NetXpert XG2 will display a Green pass icon and the packet count. If errors were detected, the NetXpert will fail the test and display the quantity of dropped packets.
Microscope (Fiber Optic) Microscope tests can be performed in the Tools menu, independent of the cable test list. Figure 57 – Individual Microscope test Results can be saved either with a pass/fail evaluation using the Test button or as an image without evaluation after pressing the Freeze button. Comments can be added to each image, which then appear in the PDF report. Figure 58 – Microscope report platinumtools.
LiveLight (Fiber Optic) The LiveLight tool can be used to evaluate cable attenuation over time. Figure 59 - LiveLight Start Screen LiveLight shows a diagram of Attenuation (db) over Time (s). As with the cable test you should set a reference before starting the test. The limit value and the test duration can be set before the test starts. Individual fiber connections (Fiber 1/Fiber 2) can be tested by selecting the cable to be tested under the Fiber View option.
Changes in attenuation can be observed in real time in the attenuation/time chart. The arrows can be used to move between time windows and see the difference in attenuation value over time. deletes the result while in live mode. The test automatically starts from zero. Press to end the live test. Figure 61 – LiveLight measurement finished The test data can be saved as a CSV reports. To do so, press the CSV button on the right side, which will save the report in the File Manager.
Link Light (Fiber Optic) To identify which port the NetXpert XG2 is connected to on a switch, the NetXpert XG2 can flash the Link LED on the switch port. Figure 62 - Link Light Flashing The connected switch port is detected by a slowly flashing Link LED (O.5Hz). Select the desired flashing frequency and select Test. platinumtools.
FILE MANAGEMENT The File Manager can be accessed directly from the home screen. In this menu, you can create projects and load firmware update files. In addition, logos can be imported for report generation and license keys can be transferred to extend the range of functions. The main function is to exchange test data between the internal memory and external medium by means of a USB stick.
MAINTENANCE With the exception of the RJ45 socket, neither the main device nor the Active Remote have any user parts that can be serviced by the user. RJ45 SOCKET Since RJ45 sockets are subject to wear and potential damage from an improperly crimped connector, it is possible to remove the socket and replace it with a new one. To do this, remove the two small screws on the RJ45 socket. Insert an RJ45 cable into the socket. It is important that the locking lug of the plug engages in the socket.
SPECIFICATIONS Specifications Description Power supply • Power supply: Input 100-240VAC, 50/60Hz Output 12VDC 2.5A • DC voltage input socket: 10-28VDC, 20W max. • Battery: Li-ion battery, 7.
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS Q Why does the NetXpert XG2 show the cable length in red and report that the cable test has failed? A The NetXpert XG2 tests for compliance with IEEE 802.3 connection specifications. If the cable is longer than 328ft/100m, the NetXpert XG2 does not perform an Ethernet Speed Certification and declares the test to be faulty. Q What is a TST file? A TST files are the original file format of the NetXpert XG2. They contain the respective cable tests performed in this project.
F R E Q U E N TL Y A S K E D Q U ES TI O N S Q Does the NetXpert recognize XG PoE (Power over Ethernet)? A Yes, the NetXpert XG2 detects PoE, PoE+ and PoE++, PoE mode and min/max voltages under load. Q Why is the length wrong and all my outlets show split-pair errors? A This problem is common when laying cables on the distribution panel. Some distribution panels loop the signals through boards that have LEDs, for example, to display traffic or built-in noise canceling.
CUSTOMER SERVICE For technical information, see platinumtools.com/XG2 If you would like to contact our customer service, send an e-mail to techteam@nsiindustries.com platinumtools.
WARRANTY STATEMENT Platinum Tools guarantees that its products will be free of all defects in material and workmanship. This warranty extends for a period of 12 months for the Platinum Tools test equipment from the date of manufacture or proof-of-purchase. All products deemed defective under this warranty will be repaired or replaced at Platinum Tools' discretion. No further warranties either implied or expressed will apply, nor will responsibility for operation of this device be assumed by Platinum Tools.
NORTH AMERICA (US, CANADA & MEXICO) Platinum Tools / NSI Huntersville, NC +1 800 749 5783 info@platinumtools.com V01_0621 For technical information and support, please contact us using the info above, or visit platinumtools.com/contact/5 itnetworks.softing.
