Two new network switches located in different buildings are connected together with single-mode fiber. However, no link exists between the two switches. Which of the following steps should the technician perform FIRST to troubleshoot the issue?
Two new network switches located in different buildings are connected together with single-mode fiber. However, no link exists between the two switches. Which of the following steps should the technician perform FIRST to troubleshoot the issue?
The first step the technician should perform is to reverse TX/RX on the fiber patch cord at one building. Reversed TX/RX connections are a common and simple cause of a lack of connection between fiber optic devices. This is a quick and straightforward check that can often solve the issue without needing more time-consuming or complex troubleshooting steps such as replacing cables or using specialized equipment like an OTDR.
A. Tx/Rx being reversed is common and the fastest way of verifying. Spending time walking/driving between buildings is not efficient to clean the connectors or use an OTDR.
The FIRST step the technician should perform to troubleshoot the issue is C. Clean the fiber patch cord connectors in both buildings. Dirty or contaminated fiber patch cord connectors can cause signal loss and poor network performance, and may even prevent a link from being established. Before trying any other troubleshooting steps, it is important to ensure that the fiber patch cord connectors are clean and free of debris.
I think though it is looking for OTDR as the answer because even if the issue is dirty connectors, OTDR can help you pinpoint which ones are dirty.
Nevermind, you are correct, StellarSteve. I stand corrected. It's C.
ChatGPT is not always correct. It is most of the time bullshitting. Reversing is a something that can easily be tried first and a common cause of lack of connection according to me. I will go for that
Troubleshooting Methodology: 1. Identify the problem 2. Establish a theory of probable cause 3. Test the theory to determine cause 4. Establish a plan of action to resolve the problem and identify potential effects. 5. Implement the solution or escalate as necessary. 6. Verify full system functionality, and if applicable, implement preventive measures. 7. Document findings, actions, and outcomes. In this question we are still in step 1 and step 2 of the methodology. There only seems to be one single answer choice related to step 1 & step 2. All other answer choices are related to Step 4 & 5. I would go with choice (D. Connect the fiber patch cord to an OTDR at one building)
As someone who can speak from experience, 99.99% of the time it's TX/RX being reversed.
ChatGPT: The FIRST step the technician should perform to troubleshoot the issue is to verify that the fiber optic cable is connected correctly and is functioning properly. Therefore, the best option is D: Connect the fiber patch cord to an Optical Time Domain Reflectometer (OTDR) at one building. An OTDR is a diagnostic tool that uses laser pulses to detect and locate faults or breaks in fiber optic cables. By connecting the fiber patch cord to an OTDR, the technician can verify that the fiber optic cable is properly connected and is functioning correctly. The OTDR can also detect any breaks or faults in the cable and provide a detailed analysis of the cable's performance. After using the OTDR, the technician can move on to other troubleshooting steps, such as checking the fiber patch cord connectors for cleanliness and inspecting the fiber patch cords for damage or defects.
With an OTDR you can find at which lengt there is a cable break. you need a scope and cleaning equiptment for a proper view of the (not connected!!!) fiber head. ya should clean a singlemode (also mm but hey) b4 you connect them. i go with swapping tx/rx
I disagree. The TX RX being reversed is a very common error/mistake. Certainly where I would look to first. Never overlook the obvious. Are you sure its plugged in. Check the cable first!
should the technician perform FIRST to troubleshoot the issue
You'll first want to perform a process of elimination by identifying where the problem is, you can do this by checking the fiber optic connections for a break with an Optical Time-Domain Reflectometer (OTDR). OTDR is used for fiber optic cables. Instead of reading resistance of a wire like the Electronic Time-Domain Reflectometer (ETDR) to determine location of break, it uses light that will reflect back to the device. This can go out to many miles, essential for underground fiber. A fiber light meter is a device that provides a continuous wave of stable source of energy for attenuation measurements (amplitude reduction value). This light is a laser, or LED that is going to be stabilized using an automatic gain control mechanism to measure how effective a fiber optic cable is transmitting that light.
Before attempting more complex troubleshooting steps such as reversing TX/RX, replacing patch cords, or using an Optical Time Domain Reflectometer (OTDR), it's essential to ensure that the fiber patch cord connectors are clean.
A TX/RX reversing would be fasted way to troubleshoot. Other options you have to go back and forth to 2 buildings
As much as I appreciate the community responses, I'm going to go with D. The key for me was that these are two new switches. Surely the fiber cable is not going to be dirty, hopefully, on the onset of two new devices being installed. So to get an idea of how the cables are functioning, I need to connect to the OTDR.
At first I thought the answer was D. But I found an article in LinkedIn that has me changing my answer. "Before use OTDR, first, you should watch out if the connectors are clean. If it’s dirty, then clean it. Otherwise, it will make measurements unreliable, noisy or even impossible. What’s worse, it may damage the OTDR." D is a good option. But you would have to do C before D anyways.
Walking to another building would take a lot of time especially if they are far separated apart from each other. And when you come there and clean the
Walking to another building would take a lot of time, especially if they are far separated apart from each other(Single mode fiber especially). And when you do arrive there and clean the connectors the Tx/Rx is reversed. Why not do in the first place to safe you some time lol. That's why I would first check if the Tx/Rx being reversed.
Wouldn't the connectors have to be SO dirty, that there is 0/no connectivity? Slow connection perhaps, but no connection seems like a stretch. I would go with (A), but my head hurtie!
Answer is c
Dirt, dust, or grease in the transmission path will greatly reduce signal strength or block transmission completely. Most commonly, this occurs at a connector.
The first step the technician should perform to troubleshoot the issue is to check if the fiber patch cord connectors in both buildings are clean and free from any dirt, debris or damage. Therefore, the correct answer is C - Clean the fiber patch cord connectors in both buildings.