Testing unknown fiber, and pre-testing new

[stonent01]

I'm migrating a number of devices from old OM1/ OM2 links to OM3 or higher links.
What I'd like to do is build functional port-channels between the switches, but not bring them live yet, but still confirm the links.
I don't have any 10G capable testing equipment so I'd like to get the links live, make sure the RX/TX sides don't need to be flipped.
In some cases, I have fiber of unknown installation date that is not labeled to what grade it is and would like to do some basic switch to switch testing over the cable at 10G and see if it's viable or not.

How might you tackle this problem?  I had considered creating a vlan that was private to the two switches and then disable the vlan which should bring the links up.  Then I can maybe look at the dbm of the link at 10G.

We have layer 3 licenses so my other thought was maybe set one port channel as 192.168.0.1 and the other side as 192.168.0.2 and run 10,000 pings across it to see how it does.

I really would like some 10G testing hardware, but right now as most companies are, every purchase is being scrutinized and dropping $7,000 on a new fluke/netscout won't be possible.

[marce1000]

   - With respect but I don't believe in these procedures at all; because switches will always try do basic networking too and will give no insights in the quality   of fiber  (if the link does not come up). . You really need that fluke,...or get for instance a partner or equivalent company to come test  it on your fiber (then you don't have to buy it , if it is cheaper....)

  M.

[Leo Laohoo]

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@stonent01 wrote:
I have fiber of unknown installation date that is not labeled to what grade it is and would like to do some basic switch to switch testing over the cable at 10G and see if it's viable or not.

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1.  Start with a cheap 10mW visible fault locator and a good set of UHF radio.  Light up each strand up to confirm. 

2.  Clean the optic ports, the patch cable ends and the FOBOT before every use.  Replace the dust plugs/covers when finish.  

3.  To test, get two pairs of the following (includes one pair for faulty optic): 

• GLC-SX-MMD
• SFP-10G-SR
• SFP-25G-SR

4.  Configure two switch ports at either end as access ports and the VLAN assigned to the port is not present in the VLAN database. 

5.  Start with 25 Gbps optics.  If the optics light up, watch the power received if it falls into range and look at the interface-level for any signs of link errors. 

6.  Whether or not the 25 Gbps works, test SFP-10G-SR.  Same thing as above:  Look at the power received and link errors. 

7.  Personally, if the 10 Gbps optics work, I would not be testing the 1 Gbps optics.

NOTE:  

Personally, I have a fibre optic loopback plug (both LC and SC and both SMF and MMF) in my test kit.