Fluke LinkIQ User manual

LinkIQ™
Cable+Network Tester
Users Manual

2/2021, Rev. 1, 1/2022 (English)
©2021-2022 Fluke Corporation. All rights reserved.
Specifications are subject to change without notice.
All product names are trademarks of their respective companies.

LIMITED WARRANTY AND LIMITATION OF LIABILITY
Each Fluke product is warranted to be free from defects in material and workmanship under normal use
and service. The warranty period is 1 year and begins on the date of shipment. Parts, product repairs, and
services are warranted for 90 days. This warranty extends only to the original buyer or end-user customer
of a Fluke authorized reseller, and does not apply to fuses, disposable batteries, or to any product which,
in Fluke's opinion, has been misused, altered, neglected, contaminated, or damaged by accident or
abnormal conditions of operation or handling. Fluke warrants that software will operate substantially in
accordance with its functional specifications for 90 days and that it has been properly recorded on non-
defective media. Fluke does not warrant that software will be error free or operate without interruption.
Fluke authorized resellers shall extend this warranty on new and unused products to end-user customers
only but have no authority to extend a greater or different warranty on behalf of Fluke. Warranty support is
available only if product is purchased through a Fluke authorized sales outlet or Buyer has paid the
applicable international price. Fluke reserves the right to invoice Buyer for importation costs of repair/
replacement parts when product purchased in one country is submitted for repair in another country.
Fluke's warranty obligation is limited, at Fluke's option, to refund of the purchase price, free of charge
repair, or replacement of a defective product which is returned to a Fluke authorized service center within
the warranty period.
To obtain warranty service, contact your nearest Fluke authorized service center to obtain return
authorization information, then send the product to that service center, with a description of the difficulty,
postage and insurance prepaid (FOB Destination). Fluke assumes no risk for damage in transit. Following
warranty repair, the product will be returned to Buyer, transportation prepaid (FOB Destination). If Fluke
determines that failure was caused by neglect, misuse, contamination, alteration, accident, or abnormal
condition of operation or handling, including overvoltage failures caused by use outside the product’s
specified rating, or normal wear and tear of mechanical components, Fluke will provide an estimate of
repair costs and obtain authorization before commencing the work. Following repair, the product will be
returned to the Buyer transportation prepaid and the Buyer will be billed for the repair and return
transportation charges (FOB Shipping Point).
THIS WARRANTY IS BUYER'S SOLE AND EXCLUSIVE REMEDY AND IS IN LIEU OF ALL OTHER
WARRANTIES, EXPRESS OR IMPLIED, INCLUDING BUT NOT LIMITED TO ANY IMPLIED WARRANTY OF
MERCHANTABILITY OR FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE. FLUKE SHALL NOT BE LIABLE FOR ANY
SPECIAL, INDIRECT, INCIDENTAL OR CONSEQUENTIAL DAMAGES OR LOSSES, INCLUDING LOSS OF
DATA, ARISING FROM ANY CAUSE OR THEORY.
Since some countries or states do not allow limitation of the term of an implied warranty, or exclusion or
limitation of incidental or consequential damages, the limitations and exclusions of this warranty may not
apply to every buyer. If any provision of this Warranty is held invalid or unenforceable by a court or other
decision-maker of competent jurisdiction, such holding will not affect the validity or enforceability of any
other provision.
11/99
Fluke Corporation
P.O. Box 9090
Everett, WA 98206-9090
U.S.A.

i
Table of Contents
Title Page
Introduction................................................................................................................................... 1
Automatic Test Discovery....................................................................................................... 1
Contact Fluke ............................................................................................................................... 2
Safety Information...................................................................................................................... 2
Product Familiarization ............................................................................................................. 3
Parts ........................................................................................................................................ 3
Controls and Connections.............................................................................................. 4
Hang Strap............................................................................................................................ 5
Display.................................................................................................................................... 6
Main Menu ..................................................................................................................................... 7
Menu Controls..................................................................................................................... 7
Settings Menu ..................................................................................................................... 9
Configure a Static Address ............................................................................................ 12
Change the IP Address of the Product ............................................................. 12
Change the IP Address of a Device to Ping..................................................... 12
Configure an IPv4 Address.................................................................................... 13
Configure an IPv6 Address.................................................................................... 14
Tools Menu ........................................................................................................................... 15
Before a Test ................................................................................................................................ 15
Cable Tests ................................................................................................................................... 16
Do a Cable Test................................................................................................................... 17
Cable Test Results............................................................................................................. 18
Wire Map Screen Multiple Failures ..................................................................... 21
Open Pairs Failure ..................................................................................................... 22
Short Failure ................................................................................................................ 23
Split Pairs Failure ....................................................................................................... 23
Test Limit Failure ....................................................................................................... 24
Switch Tests ................................................................................................................................. 25
Switch Connectivity Tests.............................................................................................. 25
Ping Tests ............................................................................................................................. 25
Power over Ethernet (PoE) Tests ................................................................................. 25
Do a Switch Test................................................................................................................. 26
Switch Test Results.................................................................................................................... 26
Switch Test Detail Results .............................................................................................. 29
Ping Test Results................................................................................................................ 29
PoE Test Results ................................................................................................................32

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LinkIQ
Users Manual
PoE Test Pass Example........................................................................................... 34
PoE Test Fail Reasons.............................................................................................. 35
Save a Test Result ...................................................................................................................... 36
Results Menu ................................................................................................................................ 36
Delete Test Results .................................................................................................................... 38
Upload Results to LinkWare PC............................................................................................. 39
Tests with MS-IE-Adapter Set................................................................................................ 39
Maintenance.................................................................................................................................. 40
Clean the Product .............................................................................................................. 40
Battery .................................................................................................................................... 40
Product Specifications ............................................................................................................. 41

1
Introduction
The Fluke Networks LinkIQ Cable+Network Tester (the Product or Tester) is a unique handheld
test instrument for use in many applications to test twisted pair cables, network connectivity,
and Power over Ethernet (PoE). These applications include system integration, cable
installation, and network and security system maintenance. The Product provides an
automatic test discovery suite that recognizes a connected device and automatically selects
the appropriate type of test for the device. See Automatic Test Discovery. The Product can be
set manually to do a cable or switch test.
The Product shows images on a high-visibility, industrial-quality LCD touch screen. The
Product saves data to internal memory which can be transferred to a PC through a direct USB
connection to the PC.
The Product includes LinkWarePC desktop software. LinkWare PC software is a high-
performance, professional software suite for quality analysis and reporting.
The Product is compatible with the MicroScannerPoE Remote Identifer and the
IntelliTonePro Toner, Tracer, and Probe.
Automatic Test Discovery
The Product is set up in Auto Test mode by default. The automatic test discovery feature
recognizes a connected device and automatically selects the appropriate type of test
compatible with the device.
Automatic test discovery selects a:
Cable test if:
There is no cable connected to the Product.
There is a cable connected to the Product but not connected to a port on an external
device.
The Product detects a Remote ID.
See Cable Tests.

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2
Switch test if the Product detects a network device. See Switch Tests.
Switch test with Ping test with Ping enabled and the Product detects a network device.
See Switch Tests.
Switch test with Power over Ethernet (PoE) with PoE enabled and the Product detects a
Power Sourcing Equipment (PSE) device. See Switch Tests.
Contact Fluke
Fluke Corporation operates worldwide. For local contact information, go to our website:
www.flukenetworks.com.
To register your product, or to view, print, or download the latest manual or manual
supplement, go to our website.
[phone] [e-mail]
Safety Information
General Safety Information is in the printed Safety Information document that ships with the
Product and at www.flukenetworks.com. More specific safety information is listed where
applicable.
A Warning identifies hazardous conditions and procedures that are dangerous to the user. A
Caution identifies conditions and procedures that can cause damage to the Product or the
equipment under test.
Note
Before you use the Product for the first time, charge the battery for a minimum of
1.5 hours. See Battery.
Caution
To activate the input protection circuitry of the Product, turn on the Product
before you connect a cable to the Product. To turn on the Product, push O.
Fluke Corporation
P.O. Box 9090
Everett WA 98206-9090
U.S.A.
Fluke Europe B.V.
P.O. Box 1186
5602 BD Eindhoven
The Netherlands

Cable+Network Tester
Product Familiarization
3
Product Familiarization
Unpack the Product and identify the items shown in Tab l e 1 .
Parts
Tabl e 1 shows the parts of the Product.
Ta bl e 1 . Par t s
Item Description Item Description
Product Remote ID 1[2]
Battery charger Office locator holder
Universal power adapter kit[1] USB C to USB A cable
Hang strap CAT6A Copper patch cable
[1] Not available in all kits.
[2] The Product can work with Remote ID 2 to Remote ID 7 (available separately as REMOTE-ID KIT or included
with LIQ-KIT)
8
7
65
4
3
2
1

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4
Controls and Connections
Tabl e 2 shows the controls and connections of the Product.
Table 2. Controls and Connections
Item Description Item Description
RJ-45 jack LCD touch screen (display)
Hang strap attachment slots Power button.

USB C input terminal used to charge the battery or upload results to
LinkWare PC. The Product cannot do a test while the battery charges or while
results upload to LinkWare PC.
3
5
4
1
2
2

Cable+Network Tester
Product Familiarization
5
Hang Strap
Figure 1 shows how to attach the hang strap.
Figure 1. Hang Strap Attachment
1 2 3

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6
Display
When you turn on the Product for the first time, the language selection screen shows on the
display. If needed, scroll to see more languages, tap a language, and tap OK to set the
language to use in the user interface (UI).
The users manual shows English screens in examples and translates the explanations as
appropriate in tables or text. Ta b l e 3 shows the items on the display.
Tab le 3 . Di splay
Item Description Item Description
Time Results and information screen
Date 
Information/Command button. The function changes
based on the screen. Tap AUTO TEST to do a test and
automatically select the appropriate type of test for the
device. See Automatic Test Discovery.
Battery status Manual test selection button. Tap to select to do a
cable or switch test.

Main menu
toolbar. See Main
Menu.
Network status. The icon shows when the Product
detects an active network connection..
02/15/2021 09:24 AM
1
2
7
8
3
4
5
6

Cable+Network Tester
Main Menu
7
Main Menu
Tabl e 4 lists the submenus available in the Main Menu.
Menu Controls
To use the menus to change and view settings:
1. Tap an icon on the main menu to open a submenu. See Ta b l e 4 .
The foreground of the selected icon changes to white.
2. Tap a menu control to set and change options. See Tabl e 5 .
Some menus contain a scroll bar on the right side to indicate there are additional options.
The scroll bar is not a control. To view additional options, touch the display and slide the
screen up or down. The scroll bar indicates the location in the menu.
3. To close a submenu and return to the Home screen, tap .
Table 4. Main Menu
Submenu Function
Home If necessary, tap to return to the Home screen. Use the Home
screen to start a test or upload results to LinkWare PC.
Results Tap to view or manage results. See Results Menu.
To o l s Tap to access additional tools. The tools cannot be used while
in a test. See Tools Menu.
Settings Tap to set user preferences and view information about the
Product. See Settings Menu.

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Tabl e 5 is a list of the menu controls.
Table 5. Menu Controls
Item Control Function
Slider bar Adjusts a value. Touch and slide the bar to the left to
decrease the value or to the right to increase the value.
Selection indicator
When shown under a selection, indicates which of two
options is selected.
Option selected.
Toggle switch
Turns on or off a feature.
Feature is on or enabled.
Feature is off or disabled.
Selection indicator Y/+
To select an item from a list, tap an option. The
indicator shows the selected option. In the Results
menu more than one item may be selected at a time.
See Results Menu.
Option menu button UTap to open an option menu to adjust a setting.
Numerical value
adjuster buttons
I/LDecreases a numerical value.
J/KIncreases a numerical value.
Back arrow GReturn to the previous screen and, if necessary, save
changes.
Exit button nReturn to the previous screen without saving changes.
OK button OK Save changes or do an action. Then, return to the
previous screen.
Cancel button CANCEL Do not do an action and return to the previous screen.
Add feature button Tap to add a feature such as an IP address.
Delete feature
button Tap to delete a feature such as an IP address.
Delete text button Tap to delete text typed in a field.

Cable+Network Tester
Main Menu
9
Settings Menu
Tabl e 6 is a list of the options available in the Settings menu. The Product uses the last saved
settings when the Product is turned off and back on.
Tab le 6 . S et tin gs M en u
Option Menu Option Description
Wire map Settings
Shield Test
Uses the continuity of the shield on the cable to determine if
a test passes.
Even if a shield is connected to a cable, the continuity of the
shield is not used to determine if a test passes. Default
setting.
Allow
Crossover
The wire map of either a straight through cable or a
crossover cable is used to determine if a test passes.
The wire map of a straight through cable is used to determine
if a test passes. A wire map of a crossover cable fails. Default
setting.
Pinout <options> Select to set the wire color configuration to use to do a test.
T568A is the default setting.
Cable Settings
Te s t L i m i t
10BASE-T Verify if a cable with continuity on at least the 1,2 and 3,6
pairs can support 10BASE-T (10) data rate throughput.
100BASE-TX Verify if a cable with continuity on at least the 1,2 and 3,6
pairs can support 100BASE-TX (100) data rate throughput.
1000BASE-T Verify if a 4-pair cable with continuity on all 4 pairs can
support 1000BASE-T (1G) data rate throughput.
2.5GBASE-T Verify if a 4-pair cable with continuity on all 4 pairs can
support 2.5GBASE-T (2.5G) data rate throughput.
5GBASE-T Verify if a 4-pair cable with continuity on all 4 pairs can
support 5GBASE-T (5G) data rate throughput.
10GBASE-T
Verify if a 4-pair cable with continuity on all 4 pairs can
support 10GBASE-T (10G) data rate throughput. Default
setting.

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NVP <options>
Set the Nominal Velocity of Propagation (NVP) value based
on the cable. NVP value range is 50-99. The default NVP
value is 68.
General Settings
Auto
Increment
Automatically increments the Test ID by one number or letter
for the next test. Default setting.
Use to manually increment or edit the Test ID.
PoE Test
Enable PoE detection. Use to automatically do a PoE test
after you do a network switch test. Default setting.
Disable PoE detection. Use to decrease the time to do a
switch test.
Network <options>
Tap to se l ect :
DHCP to automatically assign an IP address to the
Product.
Static to configure the IP address, Subnet Mask,
Gateway, and DNS of the Product. See Change the IP
Address of the Product.
The default settings are:
IPv4 Address:
DHCP
IP, Gateway, and DNS addresses: 0.0.0.0
Subnet Mask: /24 (255.255.255.0)
IPv6 Address:
DHCP (which is SLAAC/DHCPv6 for IPv6)
IP, Gateway, and DNS addresses: ::0
Subnet Mask: /64
Table 6. Settings Menu (cont.)
Option Menu Option Description

Cable+Network Tester
Main Menu
11
Ping <options>
With the IP address of the Product automatically assigned or
configured in the Network setting, tap to open the Ping
screen to:
Enable or disable the Ping feature. Enabled is the default
setting.
With Ping enabled, use to:
Automatically do a Ping test after you do a network
switch test. Default Setting: IPv4 address 8.8.8.8
Use the saved protocol (IPv4 or IPv6) and enter a new
target IP address that uses the same protocol.
Delete an IPv4 target address to add and configure an
IPv6 target address or vice versa.
See Change the IP Address of a Device to Ping.
CDP/LLDP
Timeout <options>
Tap to select the time in seconds to wait for a CDP/LLDP
response before the Product retries network discovery. The
default is 30 sec.
-- Use the slider bar at the right of the image to adjust the
brightness of the image.
Auto
Shutoff
The Product turns off after 15 minutes of no use. While the
Product charges, Auto Shutoff is disabled. Default setting.
The Product remains on until the battery needs to be
charged again.
Sound
The Product emits an audible sound at the completion of a
test. Default setting.
The Product does not emit an audible sound at the
completion of a test.
Numbers -- Set or view the decimal point indicator.
Units -- Set or view the units to use in measurements.
Table 6. Settings Menu (cont.)
Option Menu Option Description

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Configure a Static Address
Use the directions below to configure an IPv4 or an IPv6 address to use for the Product or to
use on a device connected to a network.
Change the IP Address of the Product
To change the IP address of the Product:
1. Tap > Network > IPv4 or IPv6 > Static.
With Static selected, the IP, Subnet Mask, Gateway, and DNS buttons show. With Static
selected for both IPv4 and IPv6, a scroll bar also shows.
2. Configure the address. See Configure an IPv4 Address or Configure an IPv6 Address.
Change the IP Address of a Device to Ping
Set up the Product to use either an IPv4 or an IPv6 address of a device to ping, but not both.
To s e t u p a p i n g t e s t :
1. Turn on the Product.
2. Connect the Product to a network.
3. Go to > Ping.
4. If needed, turn on Ping.
5. To change from an IPv4 address to another IPv4 address or from an IPv6 address to
another IPv6 address, tap Uon the IP button and enter the new address. See Configure an
IPv4 Address or Configure an IPv6 Address.
Date/Time <options> Tap to select options to set the date, time, date format, and
time format.
Language <options> Tap to select a language after initial setup.
About -- Tap to view the serial number, MAC address, and version
information of the Product.
Factory
Reset -- Tap to delete all test results and reset the Product to the
factory default settings.
Table 6. Settings Menu (cont.)
Option Menu Option Description

Cable+Network Tester
Main Menu
13
6. To change from an IPv4 address to an IPv6 address or vice versa:
a. On the IP button, tap .
b. Tap OK to delete the address.
c. Tap IPv4 or IPv6.
d. Tap to add an IP address button.
e. On the IP button, tap Uand enter a new address. See Configure an IPv4 Address or
Configure an IPv6 Address.
Configure an IPv4 Address
To manually configure an address:
1. Tap IP to open the IP address screen.
2. Enter the IP address.
An IPv4 address is 32 bits represented in dot-decimal notation. The address consists of
four groups of decimal digits (0 to 255) separated by a dot or period. The UI has a separate
entry field for each group of digits.
Examples of valid IPv4 addresses:
8.8.8.8 (Google DNS servers)
192.168.10.1
10.10.10.1
Examples of invalid IPv4 addresses:
0.0.0.0
255.255.255.255
An address with “0” as the first byte
An address with a decimal number greater than 255
224.0.0.0 /4
127.0.0.0 /8
3. Tap Subnet Mask, scroll if needed, and tap a subnet mask.
The Product shows subnet mask notation for example, 255.255.0.0. The corresponding
prefix length values are /1 to /31.
4. Tap Gateway to enter the Gateway address.
5. Tap DNS to enter the DNS address.

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Configure an IPv6 Address
To manually configure an address:
1. Tap IP to open the IP address screen.
2. Enter the IP address.
An IPv6 address is 128 bits represented as eight groups of four hexadecimal digits (16 bits)
with a colon between each group. The UI has a separate entry field for each group of digits.
Examples of valid IPv6 addresses:
2001:4860:4860::8888 (Google DNS servers)
2001:0db8:0000:0000:8a2e:0000:0370:7334
Examples of invalid IPv6 addresses:
0:0:0:0:0:0:0:0
ffff:ffff:ffff:ffff:ffff:ffff:ffff:ffff
ff00:: /8
::ffff:0:0 to ::ffff:ffff:ffff
Because IPv6 addresses can be long, there are valid ways to shorten them.
Omit leading zeros within a group. In the second example of valid addresses above, the
second and seventh groups may be shortened to db8 and 370, respectively.
If two or more adjacent groups contain 0000, replace them with two colons as in the
first example above.
If a group contains 0000 and is not adjacent to another group that contains 0000,
replace it with one zero.
According to the rules above, the full address of the first example is:
2001:4860:4860:0000:0000:0000:0000:8888, and the shortened address of the second
address is 2001:db8::8a2e:0:370:7334.
3. Tap Subnet Mask, scroll if needed, and tap a subnet mask.
Although the Product uses the term subnet mask, the prefix length from /1 to /127 shows.
4. Tap Gateway to enter the Gateway address.
5. Tap DNS to enter the DNS address.

Cable+Network Tester
Before a Test
15
Tools Menu
Tabl e 7 is a list of the options available in the Tools Menu.
Before a Test
Read the warnings below before you do a test.
 Warning
To prevent possible electrical shock, fire, personal injury, or damage to the
Product:
To activate the input protection circuitry of the Product, turn on the Product
before you connect a cable to the Product.
During a test, do not connect a cable to the Product.
During a test, do not disconnect a cable from the Product.
The tester is not intended to be connected to active telephone inputs, systems, or
equipment, including ISDN devices. Exposure to the voltages applied by these
interfaces may damage the tester and create a potential shock hazard.
Tab le 7 . Tools Menu
Options Menu Option Description
To n e G e n e ra t o r
IntelliTone
The Product emits a digital tone that an
IntelliToneprobe can use to locate and isolate
cables behind walls, at patch panels, or in bundles.
Analog Tone 1 The Product emits an analog signal that a
standard analog probe can use to identify cables
in bundles.
Analog Tone 2
Analog Tone 3
Blink Port Light -- Tap to blink a port light on a hub or switch to verify
connectivity and cable routes.

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Users Manual
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Use caution when working in potentially hazardous locations such as an elevated
location on a ladder or roof top, especially if work is occurring in proximity to a
lightning storm. Also use caution if external communication cables are run at
length in parallel to electrical power installation cables. These types of
installations can expose communication cables to coupled electrical transients
that could be accessible on exposed conductive parts of the equipment during
operation. While in general these transients are not expected to be an electric
shock hazard, startled reaction from these transients could lead to a secondary
hazard such as loss of balance and lead to a fall or other injury. To reduce risk of
exposure, limit contact to accessible conductive parts of I/O terminals during
operation.
Cable Tests
In a twisted pair cable test, the Product performs a series of radio frequency (RF) tests to
determine the transmission parameters of the cable. The parameters are compared to the test
limits specified by IEEE 802.3 for Ethernet. Unlike transmission testers that pass bits across
the cable, the Product evaluates the physical qualities of the cable.
Measures length up to 304.8 m (1000 feet)
Delay skew between pairs
Transmission parameters used to qualify the cable:
Cable qualification to IEEE 802.3 standards:
Uses wire maps to show:
Insertion loss
Return loss
NEXT
Delay skew
Length
Wire map
10BASE-T
100BASE-TX
1000BASE-T
2.5GBASE-T
5GBASE-T
10GBASE-T
Opens
Shorts
Split pairs
Miswires