What is a Fluke LinkRunner and what does it do?

• A. A network multimeter for testing physical and data link layers.
• B. A digital oscilloscope for waveform analysis.
• C. A protocol analyzer for monitoring network traffic.
• D. A power quality meter for electrical measurements.

Answer: (A)

The key idea is that a Fluke LinkRunner is a handheld network tester designed to verify both the physical wiring and the data link operation of an Ethernet connection. It acts like a network multimeter: it checks the copper cable for faults, confirms the wire map and length, and shows whether the switch port at the far end is up with the correct speed. It can also verify that devices powered by PoE are receiving power and, in many models, perform basic IP connectivity tests (like ping) to ensure end-to-end reachability. It isn’t used for waveform analysis like a digital oscilloscope, it isn’t a protocol analyzer that captures and analyzes traffic, and it isn’t a device for measuring electrical power quality.