Is there a way to quickly Identify Network Cables that go into a switch?

Hi
I'm moving into a house that has a communications cupboard. Inside is a switch with about 20 cables running into it. These 20 cables correspond to 20 ethernet ports located around the house. They are not labelled so I don't know which port on the switch relates to the ports in each room. Is there a quick way to identify the various cables, eg a computer program, or handheld gadget that would help me work out which room port goes with which switch port?

BTW...I need to do this as I'm distributing an AV signal signal so I have to identify the actual cable that runs from the bedroom to the comms cupboard etc.

Many Thanks for any help
Jason

 

The only way I know how to do it is by testing each port with a network cable tester. Here is an example:

http://www.thinkgeek.com/gadgets/tools/8510/

Edit - Put up the wrong link.

You plug one end into the wall port and the other into the cable leading to the switch port. Then send a tone through the line. Identify the port, label both ends and then move to the next one.

Depending on the type of switch, you may be able to do something similar with it without the tester. If it is a managed switch, you can plug into it and see if there are any options for testing individual ports.

Definitely label both ends once you've identified them.

 

Without the cables being marked you will still need to do some leg work. If you have your router or modem set up you could plug one cable at a time in and search for it. You could also do this with a multimeter by grounding the cable end and searching for its mate. To answer your question about a devise. There is a line tracker that is available where phone hardware is sold. You could find one at the home depot for instance. There are two parts, one part is attached to the cable and it sends a low voltage signal through the cable. The other part is a receiver that picks up on the signal. You can pick up the signal through a wall. I have used mine to find buried outlets in new construction homes on several occasions.

 

Again, depeding on the switch, you could just plug a laptop or device into each port and look at the switch to see if the activity light blinks. You wold want to try pinging a network device or Yahoo to make sure you can see activity on the switch port. That should be a pretty easy way to find out which wall port goes with which switch port. Easier than my first suggestion.

 

What you want OP is a probe tracer. Something like this or this. You'll go to any ethernet port in the wall/floor and connect the RJ-45 cable (that comes with the kit) into it and then go to the Wiring closet and use the probe gun by pressing it next to the cables connected to the switch...the probe gun will emit a buzz/ring/beeping sound loudly when you've touched on the right cable.

I'm not certain if the Tester kit Ghost linked to above does this actual feature that you are asking for. But as Ghost mentioned, be sure to label the cables on each end to create an easier environment.

 

No the tester I mentioned will only identify the cable if you guess right on both ends. It is better suited for testing cables that have just been crimped or are suspected to be faulty. It can do what he is wanting to do, it will be more time consuming than your solution though.

I tend to try to do as little wiring as possible, which is why I have never seen one of these probes before. They would probably be your best solution. I may buy one of these myself. I'd rep you Mak, but I need to spread some first.

 

I got mine from Home Depot around 2003 (or Fry's; most likely Home Depot though). It's basically a trace or tone thing. We clip the module to the wire in each room/wall. This module will emit/feed a signal into the wire. Then use the wand/stick to touch/brush against the various cables in your network-telco-AV closet (i have one too ) and it'll sound/beep loud when you find the right cable. Have fun with the gadget. Just go to Home Depot, Lowes or Fry's (not Best Buy) after this. It'll work on all types of cables (network, phone, satellite/cable, etc) as long as it has some copper/equivalent in it (not optical). Bye.

 

If you have a multimeter, you can just short some of the pins (especially if it's a coax cable) and then you just check for which cable has continuity.

 

If you have a smart switch, just log in and get the MAC address for each port. Then compare to your pc hardware.

 

Thanks for the suggestions.... I'll give it a try
J

 

A $10 network cable tester will do, it will also check the wires is good.