IDEAL Networks NaviTEK IE Industrial Ethernet network and cable tester

IDEAL Networks has launched NaviTEK IE, a purpose-built handheld network tester designed for commissioning, preventive maintenance and troubleshooting of PROFINET Industrial Ethernet networks, plus standard Ethernet IP networks.

The rugged copper and fibre troubleshooter has been developed to simplify the process of testing both cabling and networks in Industrial Ethernet networks that utilise the PROFINET protocol. With its compact, touch-screen design, it is a convenient and efficient alternative to using a laptop, catering for the physical differences between Industrial Ethernet cabling and other networks.

The tester features a range of tools specific to the needs of Industrial Ethernet, where packet delivery time is critical for operation. For instance, the system health check feature enables frontline technicians to pinpoint potential issues before they become network failures and result in downtime. With an easy-to-understand traffic light system, the health check provides a quick indication of how each device is performing.

Advanced wiremap tools allow users to automatically discover cable, network or device configuration, or faults, at the touch of a button. The tester uses time-domain reflectometry (TDR) to provide distance to fault data, testing every wire in the data cable to help isolate issues. It can be customised to support standard and non-standard cabling configurations.

Additional troubleshooting features include quick and easy discovery of incorrect device names, duplicate IP addresses, network latency issues and packet loss, and the ability to display and validate network node details quickly. The event log feature helps to find intermittent issues by recording all network errors over a 48-hour period to determine whether the issue lies with the cabling, node, PLC or network configuration. The tester also provides professional PDF or CSV reports that can be customised and shared with colleagues and clients using the free IDEAL AnyWare mobile app.