Platinum Tools NETXPERT XG2 Manual
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Platinum Tools NETXPERT XG2 Manual

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MANUAL
Version 1.0: June 10, 2021
itnetworks.softing.com

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Summary of Contents for Platinum Tools NETXPERT XG2

  • Page 1 MANUAL Version 1.0: June 10, 2021 itnetworks.softing.com...
  • Page 2 This page intentionally left blank platinumtools.com/XG2...

  • Page 3: Table Of Contents

    OPERATION ..................................8 On/Off ..................................8 Automatic shutdown ..............................9 Touchscreen ................................9 Icons ..................................10 NetXpert XG2 Active Remote device ..........................11 SYSTEM SETTINGS ................................13 Wi-Fi ....................................16 Language ..................................18 Energy .................................... 19 More Options ................................20 platinumtools.com/xg2 .............................
  • Page 4 FREQUENTLY A S K E D Q U E S T I O N S ..........................63 Q Why does the NetXpert XG2 show the cable length in red and report that the cable test has failed? ....63 Q What is a TST file? ..............................63 Q How do I get a firmware update for my NetXpert XG2? ..................

  • Page 5: Introduction

    It is possible to qualify the fiber optic cables with the NetXpert XG2 Fiber Optic Kit as well. The main parameter for qualifying the fiber optic cables is BERT. As with the copper test, packets are sent at defined data rates to qualify fiber optic cables.

  • Page 6: Safety Instructions

    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.

  • Page 7: Device Structure

    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 Micro USB port RJ45 test and measurement port Connection...

  • Page 8: Scope Of Delivery

    2 carrying cases OPERATION Figure 2 - NetXpert XG2 Basic Kit NetXpert XG2 main device On/Off • The NetXpert XG2 is turned on by pressing the On/Off button. The button indicates the operating status using light signals: GREEN LIGHT GREEN LIGHT...

  • Page 9: Automatic Shutdown

    • 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.

  • Page 10: Icons

    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...

  • Page 11: 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.com/XG2...
  • Page 12 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 –...

  • Page 13: System Settings

    It is sufficient to set the preferred combination once and NetXpert XG2 will remember it when running either a passive cable test or an active network test.
  • Page 14 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.) • "Optical 1Gbps" for fiber optic testing at 1 Gigabit Ethernet via optional SFP module •...
  • Page 15 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.

  • Page 16: Wi-Fi

    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.
  • Page 17 VNC can be used for remote control of device functions or as a screen display aid for presentations or to create screenshots. Please contact Platinum Tools for a guide on using VNC capabilities. Disconnect WiFi turns off the connection to the network and starts a new scan.

  • Page 18: Language

    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.

  • Page 19: Energy

    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.com/XG2...

  • Page 20: More Options

    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.
  • Page 21 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...

  • Page 22: Platinumtools.com/Xg2

    To install an update, visit the URL above and download the firmware file. Save the firmware file to a USB stick and connect it to the NetXpert XG2. From this menu screen, you can then select and install the update file. Follow the instructions on the screen of the device.
  • Page 23 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.
  • Page 24 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.
  • Page 25 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.com/XG2...

  • Page 26: Cable Test

    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.
  • Page 27 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.
  • Page 28 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.
  • Page 29 Load Project lets the user load an already saved project in the NetXpert XG2. Internal documentation creation is controlled in the lower part of the screen. The device always stores its test results in its own TST format.
  • Page 30 NVP. Either you take this value from the data sheet of the cable or the NetXpert XG2 determines the values on a cable of known length (>3Om). In the lower right section, you will find the details for the test standard. Under Speed, set the maximum Ethernet speed used for testing.
  • Page 31 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.
  • Page 32 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.
  • Page 33 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.
  • Page 34 • Enter the microscope menu by pressing the Microscope button. Do not forget to plug in the microscope prior to entering the mosaic screen. Please contact Platinum Tools for compatible microscopes. platinumtools.com/XG2...
  • Page 35 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 •...
  • Page 36 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.
  • Page 37 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.

  • Page 38: Set Reference

    Select Set Reference to calibrate the patch cable length or NetXpert XG2 connector capacitance (pF), which will later be subtracted from cable test length measurements. The referencing procedure should be repeated when changing patch cables.

  • Page 39: Set Reference Fiber

    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.
  • Page 40 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.

  • Page 41: Network Tests

    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. Network Tests mode, the NetXpert XG2 supports copper, fiber, and WiFi in both IPv4 and IPv6 environments.

  • Page 42: 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.

  • Page 43: Discovery

    The NetXpert XG2 sends Ethernet telegrams to the network. • Passive mode: The NetXpert XG2 only "listens" to the network and displays all broadcasting devices. However, less detailed information about the discovered devices may be available.
  • Page 44 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 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.
  • Page 45 N E T W O R K TE S T S Ping 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.

  • Page 46: Traceroute

    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.

  • Page 47: Lldp/Cdp

    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.

  • Page 48: Vlan

    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. Depending on the configuration of the switch, it may happen that broadcast packets are not marked with VLAN IDs and thus no detection can take place.

  • Page 49: Tools

    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 &...

  • Page 50: Wiremap & Margin (Copper)

    Select Continuous Testing so the Test button does not have to be pressed before every run. The NetXpert XG2 will automatically perform cable tests at very short intervals. This facilitates troubleshooting and simple and quick testing of multiple cables. The cable construction is freely selectable in advance, there is a differentiation between shielded and unshielded, straight or crossed, 4-pair or 2-pair versions.

  • Page 51: Port Discovery (Copper)

    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...

  • Page 52: Bert Test (Copper)

    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...
  • Page 53 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.
  • Page 54 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).

  • Page 55: Individual Bert Test (Fiber Optic)

    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.

  • Page 56: Microscope (Fiber Optic)

    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.

  • Page 57: Livelight (Fiber Optic)

    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.
  • Page 58 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.
  • Page 59 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).

  • Page 60: File Management

    You can use the filter icons to hide individual file types to improve the overview. You will find different file types on the NetXpert XG2. The original test data has the "*.tst" extension and cannot be changed or read externally. Test reports are saved in PDF format (detailed PDF and summary PDF).

  • Page 61: Maintenance

    This increases the accuracy of the charge status display in the long term. The battery of the NetXpert XG2 cannot be serviced by the operator. In the event you need to remove the battery, loosen the screws on the back of the NetXpert XG2 and disconnect the cables from the battery.

  • Page 62: Specifications

    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, 7.8V, 5500mAh, initial capacity Connections • Shielded RJ45 socket, 8 contacts • 2 SFP+ ports Interfaces USB A Altitude...

  • Page 63: Frequently Asked Questions

    FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS Q Why does the NetXpert XG2 show the cable length in red and report that the cable test has failed? 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.

  • Page 64: Q Does The Netxpert Xg2 Recognize Poe (Power Over Ethernet)

    The signal to noise ratio is determined by measuring the signal generated by the far end (active remote/switch). The far end device transmits Ethernet signals, which the NetXpert XG2 uses to measure the quality of the Ethernet signals. If the signal jitter is outside the Ethernet spectrum, it affects the quality of the signal, which is identified as SNR dB measurement.

  • Page 65: Customer Service

    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.com/XG2...

  • Page 66: Warranty Statement

    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.
  • Page 67 NORTH AMERICA (US, CANADA & MEXICO) Platinum Tools / NSI Huntersville, NC +1 800 749 5783 info@platinumtools.com For technical information and support, please contact us using the info above, or visit platinumtools.com/contact/ itnetworks.softing.com/XG...

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