Fluke Networks’ LinkSprinter Doesn’t Leave Network Connectivity to Chance

Is the Fluke Network LinkSprinter Network Tester a product you can offer to your clients? Find out in SSI’s latest Bench Test.

The LinkSprinter 200 is one of two LinkSprinter models manufactured by Fluke Networks, a major producer of testing equipment for the data, IT and telecom industries. The LinkSprinter lets the user test the status of a local area network (LAN) connection from a network switch through the LinkSprinter or view the status through a handheld device or computer’s Web browser. The LinkSprinter 100 and 200 provide the same basic network testing features for a LAN, but the 200 is Wi-Fi enabled so you can use a laptop or mobile device’s Web browser to get detailed information in real-time.

Construction

The LinkSprinter 100/200 is a small handheld device, about the same size as a computer mouse. It has one button on the upper front side of the case to control the unit’s power and testing setup. There are five indicator lights on the front of the LinkSprinter 100 and one additional light on the 200 for the Wi-Fi connection. The unit is powered by two AA batteries or it can be powered via a PoE port connection if the batteries have seen better days. It has the customary canary yellow and gray case I have grown accustomed to with Fluke products over the years and, even though made out of plastic, has a solid feel to it.

Features

Fluke LinkSprinter 200 Network Tester

SPECS

  • Network testing device
  • Designed for local system testing and troubleshooting

PROS

  • Easy to set up
  • Portable and lightweight
  • Provides real-time system status via handheld device

CONS

  • Samsung users need to adjust the phone’s network settings

The LinkSprinter 100/200’s five front panel visual indicators give you a status of PoE voltage present, whether you have a connection to a network, if your connection is providing a DHCP address, if you can connect to the local gateway, and if you can actually reach the Internet. These indicators can provide you with a quick “hit list” of items to check if the network connection you are testing is not operational. For example, if the network connection is indicated as being good but the LinkSprinter 100 can’t see the outside world, you would be pointed toward the network and away from the computer. The LinkSprinter 100 will also send the results of any tests you run to the cloud service provided by Fluke where you can view the detailed results. As mentioned, the 200 version allows you to view the test results in real-time on your handheld device or laptop via a built-in wireless connection.

Setup

The LinkSprinter’s start-up procedure couldn’t be much easier for both models ― turn it on, let it go through its self-test and plug in your network cable. The device will run the local tests and, depending if there is Internet access at the connection, send the data to the cloud where the information can be retrieved via a Web connection. If the connection doesn’t have Internet access, the LinkSprinter will store the last four tests for upload the next time the unit can access the Web.

The 200 model takes just a bit more time to set up the wireless connection to your mobile device so you can see real-time data, but it is well worth the effort. After you turn the Link-Sprinter on and it has gone through its self-test, you give the power button one more push to turn on the wireless connection. After you do this you will notice a blue Wi-Fi indicator flashing on the unit’s front. You must then go to your handheld device’s wireless networks settings and select the LinkSprinter Wi-Fi connection. When I first made the connection to the LinkSprinter I had difficulty getting the unit to stay connected to my phone even though I was three feet away. At first I was irked that the unit wouldn’t stay connected but I’ve learned over the years to check a manufacturer’s FAQ section for such issues. A quick look at the LinkSprinter Web site provided me with the answer. I have a Samsung Galaxy S4 that apparently has an appetite for the fastest network connection around it and the LinkSprinter was being overridden by my Wi-Fi at the office. Fluke had a quick tech tip on how to change a setting on my phone to prevent this from happening, and once I made the change I was off and running.

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