General Questions

• Is my phone/tablet compatible with Pockethernet?

  iOS

  • iPhone 4S and more recent
  • iPod touch 5th generation and more recent
  • iPad 3rd generation and more recent

  Android

  • Android 4.3 and higher (Bluetooth Low Energy required)

• Can I use Pockethernet without a phone/tablet?

  Pockethernet has a quick measurement test which works without the smartphone application connected. The hardware has a basic user interface made up of RGB LEDs (wire pair status LEDs) which display the results. (pass/fail/failure type) and the network (link/DHCP status)

• Am I able to use the Pockethernet app without the hardware?

  No, without the hardware you can't use any of the features.

• Will you release a Windows phone app?

  No, this is currently not on the roadmap.

• Is Pockethernet available in different colors?

  No, for now we’re hoping that you like blue as much as we do.

• Pockethernet, how the do i pronounce that?

  'Pock-ether-net'

• Why does my app/hardware look different than it does on your indiegogo page?

  The screens and enclosure pictured on the indiegogo page changed during the final R&D phase of the device.

• I have some great ideas for features i'd like to see in the future

  Great. Share your ideas with us via: info AT pockethernet.com

• Does Pockethernet do cable certification?

  No. Pockethernet is not a "cable certification" device, but performs cable qualification and verification.

• Can I connect Pockethernet to a phoneline?

  No. Technically the device shouldn't get damaged by it, but it's still not allowed since it doesn't have protection against lightning strikes or similar high-voltage events that can happen on a phone line.

• What does a measurement report from Pockethernet look like?

  Please have a look here.

• Does Pockethernet come with a warranty?

  Yes, Pockethernet comes with a standard limited 1 or 2-year warranty, depending on your region. All customers inside the EU have a 2 years warranty, all others have a 1 year warranty.

• Why is the device making click sounds while running tests?

  There are moving parts inside which make this noise, they are called relays, if you look inside you can see them, the 2 white blocks just behind the ethernet port.

• I can't do anything while my Pockethernet is plugged in the USB port?

  While the USB port is connected, no measurements can be made. The device must be off for regulatory compliances.

• Why does Pockethernet switch off if I don't use it for a few minutes?

  If there's no Bluetooth connected, the device will switch off after 2 minutes for powersave purposes. If there's a Bluetooth connection, the device won't switch off.

• Does Pockethernet come with a tone probe?

  No, Pockethernet does not come with a tone probe. A huge variety of them are available for between $20 and $200. The higher-end probes are usually more sensitive and do better 50/60Hz humming rejection. Any analog tone probe should work with Pockethernet.

• Can you advise a tone probe to use with Pockethernet?

  A huge variety of them are available for between $20 and $200. The higher-end probes are usually more sensitive and do better 50/60Hz humming rejection. Any analog tone probe should work with Pockethernet. In case you’re not sure, just ask us at: info[at]pockethernet.com and we’ll let you know.

• Where is Pockethernet made?

  All of our units are currently manufactured in Hungary, Europe.

Buying & Shipping

• Why do you not ship Pockethernet worlwide?

  As a hardware product, Pockethernet needs to comply with regulatory requirements. We need to assess these country-by-country which takes time. Regions that we currently ship to include: EU, USA, Canada, Australia, and New Zealand. If you are interested in buying Pockethernet outside of these regions, please write us or sign up to our newsletter to be notified when it's available.

• Can I buy Pockethernet in a retail store?

  No, at the moment Pockethernet is only available for purchase via our online shop.

• I’d like to order a Pockethernet for my company. Will I receive a commercial invoice?

  Yes, all orders are shipped with an invoice.

• I'd like to order for my company. Can i get the order VAT free?

  Yes. In the checkout process, make sure you checkout as a company and fill out your VAT number. Any company with a valid VAT id within the EU (except Germany) can order without VAT. (VAT does not apply to any orders from USA, Canada, Australia, New Zealand, Switzerland, Norway, Iceland, Lichtenstein)

• What's Included in the box when I buy Pockethernet

  • 1 Remote terminator (for Wiremap and BER tests)
  • 50 cm Ethernet cable to connect to wall outlets
  • USB cable for charging and firmware updates
  • Carrying pouch
  • User manual in English

• The shop won't accept my VAT number?

  Please make sure you include the country code. The format should be [country code][VAT number]. (e.g. DE123456789). In case it's not still working, please see if your VAT id is still valid on this website. In other cases please write us info[at]pockethernet.com

• What payment options do you offer?

  Currently we offer Credit card payments and for all EU countries bank transfer. (We'll implement more payment options in the near future)

• How much does shipping cost?

  • Germany, Belgium, Denmark, France, Luxemburg, Netherlands: 7.5 Euro including 19% VAT
  • Rest of Europe: 12 Euro including 19% VAT (no VAT for non-EU regions)
  • Switzerland: 16 Euro (no VAT)
  • USA, Canada: 22 Euro (no VAT)
  • Australia, New Zealand: 28 Euro (no VAT)

• Do I have to pay customs and duties?

  In regions outside the EU, customs duties, customs processing fees and local sales taxes may have to be paid upon receipt of the shipment. Please inform yourself about your local regulations. You can calculate these costs for example with this service: dutycalculator.com (Select Importing from: Germany, Product description: Ethernet switch)

Technical

• How do I reset Pockethernet?

  There's a reset function in the device: Press the power button for 10 seconds, and then connect the USB plug.

• Is Pockethernet compatible with other wiremap adapters?

  No. Pockethernet only works with the terminator that came delivered with the device. The loopback side is used for BER tests

• How does Pockethernet do single-ended length measurement and fault locating?

  Through the use of TDR (time-domain reflectometry)

• Can I use the toner on a live wire that has a switch on the other end?

  Yes, neither Pockethernet nor the other device should be damaged as the signal is just a couple of volts and current limited. The only drawback would be that the sound level will be much lower as the Ethernet transformer and the terminations ground the signal. Also, if it's a shielded cable and the connector on the other end gets grounded by the remote device, it may completely shield the signal.

• Can I use the wiremap/loopback terminator as an RJ45 Coupler?

  No.

• Can Pockethernet detect which VLAN a port is connected to?

  If the port is in access/untagged mode, the VLAN tags are removed by the switch before sending out the packets, hence they are not detectable by the device. If configured for the port, Pockethernet can receive CDP or LLDP information, which usually includes the native VLAN ID. If the port is in trunk/tagged mode, or is an access port also carrying tagged packets, you can use the traffic monitor feature to see the VLAN IDs of frames that are sent over the link.

• Does Pockethernet support IntelliTone from Fluke?

  IntelliTone is patented by Fluke, so we can't support it unfortunately. (Though the hardware would be capable of that)

• How close does my phone need to be to Pockethernet to work?

  Under normal conditions, Pockethernet should be kept within 10 meters of your phone.

• For which tests do I need the Pockethernet wiremap/loopback terminator?

  The Wiremap side of the terminator is used for the *drum roll* wiremap test. The Loopback side is used for the BER test.

• Can I connect Pockethernet to a phoneline?

  No. Technically the device shouldn't get damaged by it, but it's still not allowed since it doesn't have protection against lightning strikes or similar high-voltage events that can happen on a phone line.

• Can Pockethernet be used to test IP cameras?

  If you use Pockethernet instead of the camera it's possible to: check the cabling to the camera, test if there's PoE supplied on that cable, check if a network connection can be established on the cable, with specific VLAN settings and ping targets. If the camera is already on the network, it can be pinged from another ethernet port. What Pockethernet can't do is to connect to the camera and get the picture, change settings, etc. However, these would be software features that can be added in future. (if you are very interested in that, please write us about it via info AT pockethernet.com)

• Is the TDR limited to 300m because of software or hardware reasons?

  It's a hardware limit

• How many errors are acceptable with a “BER” test?

  Ethernet is failure tolerant, it would still work with many errors, but with a reduced bandwidth. A good quality cable which is installed correctly should return 0 errors. A few errors shouldn't be a serious problem, this still should be considered a good cable.