Fluke DSX-8000
Versiv Cable Analyzer / Certifier, Cat 8

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Product Overview

RENT FLUKE NETWORKS DSX-8000

The Fluke DSX-8000 CableAnalyzer copper test solution enables testing and certification of twisted pair cabling for up to 40 Gigabit Ethernet deployments and will handle any cabling system whether it is a Cat 5e, 6, 6A, 8 or Class FA and I/II. Certifying a cable is one part of a process that starts with system design and ends with system acceptance. The faster that process goes, the more profitable you’ll be. Unfortunately, there are a lot of things that slow the process down – setting up the tester incorrectly, testing to the wrong limits, waiting for skilled technicians to analyze and troubleshoot failures, misinterpretation of results, and producing test reports that customers cannot understand.

As part of the Versiv cabling certification product family, the Fluke Networks DSX-8000 CableAnalyzer provides accurate, error-free certification. In the installation business there are multiple teams, varying media types and multiple testing requirements. The difference between being profitable or not is just a few percentage points. The DSX-8000 certifies copper cabling, complies with all standards including Level VI/2G accuracy, making jobs easier to manage, and getting to system acceptance faster. It’s not just for the expert technicians and Project Managers. Individuals of various skill levels can improve the set-up, operation, test reporting, and simultaneously manage diverse projects.

The Versiv Cabling Certification Product Family has a modular design with swappable testing modules that provide four types of testing (copper and fiber optic cabling, and Ethernet and Wi-Fi network cabling) plus report generation software and a cloud service for managing jobs. Its ProjX System manages job requirements and progress from setup to systems acceptance, making sure all tests are completed correctly. The Taptive User Interface simplifies set up, eliminates errors and speeds up troubleshooting. The LinkWare Live cloud service gives you visibility and control of the whole process: you can set up and track your testers and inspect results from any mobile device while the job is in process. It even lets you upload and integrate results from multiple testers at multiple jobsites so you can quickly generate reports with the de-facto industry standard LinkWare PC.

The Fluke DSX-8000 was specifically created to analyze and certify cabling for the new Cat 8 cabling standard.

What are the relevant standards for Cat 8 cabling?

There are several.

• IEEE 802.3bq 25G/40GBASE-T, published 8 September 2016 – This defines minimum transmission characteristics for the application on a twisted pair channel to support 25 Gbps and 40 Gbps over twisted pair cabling.
• ANSI/TIA-568-C.2-1 published 30 June 2016 - Defines Category 8 Channels and Permanent Links and includes limits for Resistance Unbalance, TCL, ELTCTL.
• ANSI/TIA-1152-A published, 10 November 2016 - Defines field tester measurement and accuracy requirements for Category 8, including the new “2G” accuracy requirements for Cat 8 testers
• ISO/IEC Standards are expected in 2017, including ISO/IEC 11801-99-1 which defines the Class I/II Channels and Permanent Links and IEC 61935-1 Ed5.0 which defines tester measurement and accuracy requirements, including the same “2G’ requirement from ANSI/TIA1152-A.

What’s the case for Cat 8 cabling?

Cat 8 solutions are designed to support Ethernet at rates up to 40 Gbps (40GBASE-T) over distances up to 30 meters, making it a solution primarily for data centers. Copper cabling is less costly to install, but the biggest savings will be related to power usage and electronics costs. If Cat 8 / 40GBASE-T becomes widely deployed, it’s expected that switch and server connections supporting it will be much less expensive than those using fiber optics. Further, the 25/40GBASE-T standards support autonegotiation, which provides convenience for data center operators

It's also possible that Cat 8 may be adopted for other applications in the future.

Why is the DSX-8000 the first “true” Cat 8 field tester?

There are four “firsts” for the DSX-8000 that make it a “true” Cat 8 field tester

• The first Permanent Link and Channel adapters with a full 2 GHz range. These adapters allow connection to installed links in the field which is what is required by contractors installing Cat 8 systems.
• The first tester to be endorsed by Cat 8 cabling manufacturers. One of the main reasons for certifying installed cabling is to obtain a manufacturer’s warranty. Without their endorsement, the certification is of no use for this purpose.
• The first tester independently verified to meet the ANSI/TIA-1152-A Level 2G requirements for measurement accuracy required for Cat 8 testers.
• The first tester (along with the DSX-5000) to test screen continuity along the path of the cabling as required for Level 2G testers

Can the DSX-8000 test standards below Cat 8?

Yes, the DSX-8000 can test all copper cabling types that can be tested by the DSX-5000.

What are the test times for the DSX-8000?

The DSX-8000 is the fastest tester on the market with an eight second Cat 6A certification. Test time for Cat 8 is 16 seconds.

What is the requirement for testing “screen continuity along the path of the cabling”?

This is a requirement in ANSI/TIA-1152-A for Level 2G testers. Cat 8 is a screened system which requires the screen on the cable be connected to the shielded connectors at each end. This improves crosstalk performance, especially for Alien NEXT. Therefore, being able to verify that the screen is connected properly is essential to certifying the performance of the system. Most testers (including the DTX) use a simple DC continuity test for this verification. Unfortunately, this test can be fooled by alternative paths for the test signal, such as a common ground or screens on other cables. The DSX-5000 and 8000 use a more sophisticated method which can determine if the continuity of the screen is maintained “along the path of the cabling”. It can also tell the distance to the shield fault, which greatly simplifies troubleshooting.

What other tests are performed by the DSX-8000?

The DSX CableAnalyzer Series (DSX-5000 and DSX-8000) continues to be the only field cable tester that can measure:

• Resistance Unbalance: which is important for successful PoE operation
• TCL and ELTCL balance measurements: which are important for successful 10GBase-T operation.

As noted above, these tests are part of the ANSI/TIA-568-C.2-1 standards for cabling and connectors, but are not required for field testers. These tests are available to DSX users by selecting +ALL when choosing Test Limits.

Does the DSX-8000 meet ISO/IEC Class I/II requirements?

Yes, however Class II requires adapters for TERA and GG-45 type connectors. Those adapters will be available in the summer of 2017. Note that no Class II TERA or GG45 connectors are shipping at this time.

Is the DSX-8000 part of the Versiv product family? If so, does it use the same Versiv mainframe and remote as the DSX-5000 and other Versiv products?

Yes, the DSX-8000 is part of the Versiv Cable Certification Family and uses the same Mainframe and Remote as the other Versiv products (DSX-5000, CertiFiber Pro, OptiFiber Pro, and FI-7000). The Versiv family is a modular design with swappable testing modules that provide four types of testing plus report generation software and a cloud service for managing jobs.

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