Microtest "COMPAS"

[Don Y]

Hi,

A while back, I inherited one of these from a friend (who has
no patience to FIX things!). I, of course, love tinkering
with toys so it's a "diversion" for me. But, end-of-year
is my traditional housecleaning binge so Ive got to decide
if its KEEP or TOSS.

But, I have no idea if it is even worth the time
to sort out what's wrong with it -- until I can
figure out how useful it *might* be.

[friend has only given me vague ideas as to how *he*
used it -- possibly because it was "underutilized"
and he doesn't want to let his ignorance show?]

The subject line indicates *all* of the identifying
information on the device! I've managed to find
a few links with comparable photos -- but each
as had different "model numbers" (and I have no idea
of the significance of those model numbers!)

Here's one:

<http://www.ebay.com/itm/Fluke-Microtest-COMPAS-8160-00-Network-Diagnostic-Tool-/260800520967>

As far as details, all I ever seem to find is the same
"manufacturer's summary" information. And, a reference
to a "pentascanner" manual which further confuses the
identification issue.

So, has anyone seen/used one of these and willing to
comment in "non-sales-speak" about its features?

Thx,
--d

[Paul]

In article <jcb3c8$cqr$1...@speranza.aioe.org>, not....@seen.com says...

>
> Hi,
>
> A while back, I inherited one of these from a friend (who has
> no patience to FIX things!). I, of course, love tinkering
> with toys so it's a "diversion" for me. But, end-of-year
> is my traditional housecleaning binge so Ive got to decide
> if its KEEP or TOSS.
>
> But, I have no idea if it is even worth the time
> to sort out what's wrong with it -- until I can
> figure out how useful it *might* be.
>
> [friend has only given me vague ideas as to how *he*
> used it -- possibly because it was "underutilized"
> and he doesn't want to let his ignorance show?]

I have feeling that it is a device that without manuals would be
difficult to use. Also it is meant for serious networking people
like datacenter network staff.

> The subject line indicates *all* of the identifying
> information on the device! I've managed to find
> a few links with comparable photos -- but each
> as had different "model numbers" (and I have no idea
> of the significance of those model numbers!)
>
> Here's one:
>
> <http://www.ebay.com/itm/Fluke-Microtest-COMPAS-8160-00-Network-Diagnostic-Tool-/260800520967>

This article a comparison with similar units from other manufacturers
might help.

<http://www.networkworld.com/reviews/2000/1009rev.html>

I suspect the far end adapter mentioned in the ebay link is for doing
Next (crosstalk) and similar tests for cabling. Something most people
don't even know is a test.

> As far as details, all I ever seem to find is the same
> "manufacturer's summary" information. And, a reference
> to a "pentascanner" manual which further confuses the
> identification issue.
>
> So, has anyone seen/used one of these and willing to
> comment in "non-sales-speak" about its features?

The article I linked may help on generalities.

Another one was
<http://books.google.co.uk/books?id=dCcNjsfj-CwC&pg=PA41&lpg=PA41
&dq=Fluke+Microtest+COMPASS&source=bl&ots=rmBPLuR8_l&sig=lD9I4g1wLCy-
lc_nlb8lwCdmqjE&hl=en&sa=X&ei=TrjpTsTyNM7Z8QOE8cTzCQ&ved=
0CHAQ6AEwCQ#v=onepage&q=Fluke%20Microtest%20COMPASS&f=false>

> Thx,
> --d



--
Paul Carpenter | pa...@pcserviceselectronics.co.uk
<http://www.pcserviceselectronics.co.uk/> PC Services
<http://www.pcserviceselectronics.co.uk/fonts/> Timing Diagram Font
<http://www.gnuh8.org.uk/> GNU H8 - compiler & Renesas H8/H8S/H8 Tiny
<http://www.badweb.org.uk/> For those web sites you hate

[Don Y]

Hi Paul,

On 12/15/2011 2:06 AM, Paul wrote:
> In article<jcb3c8$cqr$1...@speranza.aioe.org>, not....@seen.com says...

>> A while back, I inherited one of these from a friend (who has
>> no patience to FIX things!). I, of course, love tinkering
>> with toys so it's a "diversion" for me. But, end-of-year
>> is my traditional housecleaning binge so Ive got to decide
>> if its KEEP or TOSS.

> I have feeling that it is a device that without manuals would be
> difficult to use.

The other "similar" devices that I've come across have tended
to be pretty intuitive to use -- once you *know* their capablties.
Often, the hardest thing is knowing which rder to push which
buttons, etc.

Havng a manual would be great -- but nothing has turned up in
my searches (I tend to search for "8160" as that base model number
seems to be associated with many images of the device -- though
I can;t find that anywhere on the device itself!)

Without the manual, a "quick start guide" or a "datasheet"
would be a starting point.

> Also it is meant for serious networking people
> like datacenter network staff.

Exactly -- hence its appeal to me (almost everything I've worked
on in the past few years has been a distributed system). But,
the mention of "NT", "Netware", etc. in the summary descriptions
that I've read has me leary -- thinking it may be too tightly tied
to troubleshooting *those* networks (and the services typically
running on them) than the protocols that *I* use. :-/

Unfortunately, for my *office* needs it would only be partially
useful as most of the interesting traffic runs on Gb fabric.

>> The subject line indicates *all* of the identifying
>> information on the device! I've managed to find
>> a few links with comparable photos -- but each
>> as had different "model numbers" (and I have no idea
>> of the significance of those model numbers!)
>>
>> Here's one:
>>
>> <http://www.ebay.com/itm/Fluke-Microtest-COMPAS-8160-00-Network-Diagnostic-Tool-/260800520967>
>
> This article a comparison with similar units from other manufacturers
> might help.
>
> <http://www.networkworld.com/reviews/2000/1009rev.html>

Thanks! That gives me a bit better idea -- though still speaks
to folks from the "IT" crowd.

> I suspect the far end adapter mentioned in the ebay link is for doing
> Next (crosstalk) and similar tests for cabling. Something most people
> don't even know is a test.

Yes. The adapter also appears useful in tracing cable drops (I
have another box that is a bit handier for that as it allows multiple
drops to be sorted at one time. If you've had to do this, you can see
how such a device cuts the number of "passes" you have to make through
the cable ends if you can test N at once). The TDR is also handy
when things don't work. (though the other device I mentioned also
has that capablity).

>> As far as details, all I ever seem to find is the same
>> "manufacturer's summary" information. And, a reference
>> to a "pentascanner" manual which further confuses the
>> identification issue.
>>
>> So, has anyone seen/used one of these and willing to
>> comment in "non-sales-speak" about its features?
>
> The article I linked may help on generalities.
>
> Another one was
> <http://books.google.co.uk/books?id=dCcNjsfj-CwC&pg=PA41&lpg=PA41
> &dq=Fluke+Microtest+COMPASS&source=bl&ots=rmBPLuR8_l&sig=lD9I4g1wLCy-
> lc_nlb8lwCdmqjE&hl=en&sa=X&ei=TrjpTsTyNM7Z8QOE8cTzCQ&ved=
> 0CHAQ6AEwCQ#v=onepage&q=Fluke%20Microtest%20COMPASS&f=false>

<frown> This only seemed to give it a passing mention.

But, overall, I think its probably worth at least a small
investment of time. I know the power (barrel) connector is
broken so I'll chase down the appopriate replacement (no idea
how *that* could have been damaged, but... <shrug>). Then,
see if the battery pack will hold a charge or if I'll have
to rebuild it (solvent welded, of course :< ). An AC powered
device doesn't seem very useful, here...

Thankfully, the unit came with the correct wall wart (in addition
to far end adapter) so I won;t have to waste time trying to reverse
engineer the power conditioning circuitry!

Now where's that Digikey catalog...?

Thanx!

[mike]

I have one of these.
Menus are intuitive.
Has extensive built-in manual. Use the bottom button...
looks like a light bulb.
There are lot of functions for testing LANs that were in use
in 1990. Not at all clear what they do.
If I plug in my network, it displays my modem/router and computers
on my network.
Not sure if it has any functions that couldn't be done as easily
with a laptop and some diagnostic software.
The TDR cable test can come in handy.
I used it mostly to monitor RS-232 communication when I'm debugging
PIC processor programs.

[Don Y]

Hi Mike,

On 12/15/2011 1:44 PM, mike wrote:

> Don Y wrote:

>> A while back, I inherited one of these from a friend (who has
>> no patience to FIX things!). I, of course, love tinkering
>> with toys so it's a "diversion" for me. But, end-of-year
>> is my traditional housecleaning binge so Ive got to decide
>> if its KEEP or TOSS.

>> As far as details, all I ever seem to find is the same
>> "manufacturer's summary" information. And, a reference
>> to a "pentascanner" manual which further confuses the
>> identification issue.
>>
>> So, has anyone seen/used one of these and willing to
>> comment in "non-sales-speak" about its features?
>

> I have one of these.

OK, so that means at least two were manufactured! :>

> Menus are intuitive.
> Has extensive built-in manual. Use the bottom button...
> looks like a light bulb.

OK

> There are lot of functions for testing LANs that were in use
> in 1990. Not at all clear what they do.

<frown> I suspect these are the Netware (e.g.) -specific
"added value" features.

> If I plug in my network, it displays my modem/router and computers
> on my network.
> Not sure if it has any functions that couldn't be done as easily
> with a laptop and some diagnostic software.

The drawbacks of a laptop are:
- size
- often no serial port
- rarely a *second* serial port...
- ... or a second NIC.
Plus, of course, the software to do these things -- and,
the uncertainty over the insertion cost of this whole
mess (anything laptop based probably runs on a "poorly
characterized OS" whereas a device *intended* for
insertion probably has *some* attention paid to the
impact it has on the "ideal wire" that it is trying
to replace!)

> The TDR cable test can come in handy.

Agreed. I have it available in anther piece of equipment.
At the very least, it gives me some reassurance when
"things look fishy" ("Hmmm... there's no way this cable
is only 2 meters long!")

> I used it mostly to monitor RS-232 communication when I'm debugging
> PIC processor programs.

But I assume it's only helpful at getting a *feel* for what's
on the wire? Or, can you "take snapshots" so you're not
constantly trying to read stuff at 19Kbaud, etc.?

I assume the corresponding LAN funcionality is only helpful
for giving you an idea of traffic *volume* (and possibly
soures/destinations) as the actual *content* would zip by
in an instant.

So, your verdict? I assume "Keep" (fix)?

[mike]

Been a long time since I used it. I think it has some buffer,
but not sure how much. I only sent a few bytes at a time anyway.
Just needed to see that the stimulus/response was doing the right thing.

>
> I assume the corresponding LAN funcionality is only helpful
> for giving you an idea of traffic *volume* (and possibly
> soures/destinations) as the actual *content* would zip by
> in an instant.

Never really used it. It does have some activity graphs and
summary metrics.

>
> So, your verdict? I assume "Keep" (fix)?

I'd remove the battery and try to get some charge into it.
If the system works, then worry about fixing the charging jack.

Frankly, I wouldn't be too disappointed if I lost mine.
Took me half an hour to find it. But there's something just
WRONG about having a gizmo that isn't working. MUST FIX!!!!!

[Don Y]

Hi Mike,

>> So, your verdict? I assume "Keep" (fix)?
> I'd remove the battery and try to get some charge into it.
> If the system works, then worry about fixing the charging jack.

(slaps head) D'oh! Yes, why didn't *I* think of that approach?
<frown> Too busy thinking about how to get *that* charger
working instead of just getting the device "usable".
E.g., I can just as easily clip some EZ-hooks onto the
contacts that *mate* with the battery, set power supply
accordingly and fire it up. Don't even worry about the
state of the battery!

(I had thought of soldering some pigtails onto the broken
barrel connector but unsure of whether or not the switch
in the connector was actually used for anything -- perhaps
to disconnect the charging electronics?)

> Frankly, I wouldn't be too disappointed if I lost mine.
> Took me half an hour to find it. But there's something just
> WRONG about having a gizmo that isn't working. MUST FIX!!!!!

Yup. And, any time I can reduce the size of something I need
for testing (especially if it has to be portable), its REALLY
hard to resist. (E.g., I can hack together a protocol analyzer
from a NIC/MAC and a logic analyzer... but, not very PORTABLE!)

Thanks! Perhaps I'll get to it this weekend (I need to place
a Digikey order so it would be nice to know if I have to add
a barrel connector to that list)

[jaymar...@gmail.com]

Hi sir,you said you're using it mostly to monitor rs232 communication? may i ask if i can use it to trace if a machine or computer has an output, via rs232 when connecting on this device? or can you give me some instruction on how to use the function rs232?
Thank you sir, appreciate any help :)

[Ed Prochak]

On Sunday, March 6, 2016 at 8:09:47 PM UTC-5, jaymar...@gmail.com wrote:
> Hi sir,you said you're using it mostly to monitor rs232 communication? may i ask if i can use it to trace if a machine or computer has an output, via rs232 when connecting on this device? or can you give me some instruction on how to use the function rs232?
> Thank you sir, appreciate any help :)

rs232 is not a function.

it is the electrical definition for a serial interface standard.
Google it
ed

[Tauno Voipio]

The OP is probably looking for an asynchronous serial line analyzer.

--

-TV

[Zach Metzinger]

Pedantic, and wrong. RS-232, or EIA-232 as it is now called, defines
physical and electrical properties of an interface which can be used to
carry both asynchronous and synchronous serial data streams. Everything
one needs to understand the physical-layer and recover the bits on the
wire is specified in the standard.

What is not specified in the standard is the protocol which travels
across the serial link, as it doesn't care. Unlike Ethernet, which has a
defined packet format, the largest unit of transfer on the EIA-232
asynchronous interface is one byte.

So, when the OP asked about "rs232", everyone knew what he/she was
talking about, and it is common usage to call it that. It is arguably
clearer than "serial port", as SPI, I2C, USB, PCIe, and numerous other
interfaces could also be classified as "serial ports".

Google it.

--- Zach

[Richard Damon]

Many people seem to (wrongly) assume that RS-232 means the standard
asynchronous serial (uart) interface. This gives rise to the term of the
'TTL level RS-232 interface' which is actually a contradiction of terms
as the TTL level signal levels (0-0.6 / ~2.5-4) are NOT valid RS-232
signal levels (3 - 15 / -3 - -15), and for what is generally intended
the polarity of mark and space are reversed.

I have even seen this is government specifications.