Abstract: A physical layer device includes a cable tester that determines a cable status of a cable and that includes a test module. The test module transmits a test pulse on the cable, measures a reflection amplitude, calculates a cable length, and determines the cable status based on the measured amplitude and the calculated cable length. An insertion loss estimator communicates with the cable tester, and estimates insertion loss of the cable based at least in part on a feedback equalizer gain.

Abstract: A physical layer device comprises a first transceiver that selectively communicates with a cable medium. A detector detects a power over Ethernet (POE) device. A switching device selectively provides power from a power supply over the cable medium when the detector detects the POE device. A cable tester communicates with the first transceiver, tests the cable medium and determines a cable status, and delays testing of the cable medium when the detector detects the POE device until the switching device provides the power.

Abstract: A cable tester comprises a test initiating module that performs B cable tests. Each of said B cable tests includes selectively transmitting a test pulse on the cable, measuring a reflection amplitude, and calculating a cable length. A test results module determines a cable status for each of said B cable tests based on said measured amplitude and said calculated cable length and that determines an overall cable status of the cable based on the cable at least one of passing and failing A out of B cable tests. A and B are integers greater than zero and B is greater than A.