Software and
Hardware Tools
COMP 316
Software Tools
Network Scanners
 Family
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of tools used to analyze networks
Packet sniffers
Intrusion detection system (IDS/IPS)software
Port scanners
Packet sniffers



Actually looks inside every packet on a
network segment
Give statistics on network utilization and
packet traffic data as well as capture
individual frames for analysis
The basic purpose is to collect and analyze
each individual packet that is captured on a
specific network segment to determine if
problems like bottlenecks, retransmissions, and
security breaches are happening
Packet sniffers
Intrusion Detection &
Prevention Software


IDS
 Identifies, detects, and
reports attempts of
unauthorized access to
the network as well as
any suspicious activity
IPS
 Can stop the attack by
shutting down ports or
dropping certain types
of packets
Port scanners
 Software
tool designed to search a host
for open ports
Hardware Tools
Cable Testers
 Verify
connection
through the cable
 Determine if the
cable is straightthrough or
crossover
 Identify problems
such as grounding
issues as well
Loopback Plug


Diagnostic procedure in
which a signal is
transmitted and returned
to the sending device
after passing through all
or a portion of a network
or circuit
Are made for both
Ethernet an fiber
applications
Wire-Map Testers


Device that transmit signals
through each wire in a
copper twisted-pair cable
to determine if it’s
connected to the correct
pin at the other end.
Consists of a remote unit
that you attach to the far
end of a connection and a
battery-operated,
handheld main unit that
displays the results
Multimeter
 Called
volt/ohm meter (VOM)
 Multitasking electronics measuring
instrument
 Measure voltage, current, and
resistance
Toner Probe


Simple copper cable tester that
is simple to use and can be
used to trace a wire in a wall
Can identify a particular cable
at any point between the two
ends, and because the probe
can detect the cable
containing the tone signal
through its sheath.
Punch-Down Tool
 Use
to punch down the wire that
terminated in wiring closets into some
kind of insulation displacement
connector (IDC)
Cable Stripper/Snips