What types of information can cable testers provide?

Cable testers are essential tools in networking that provide a comprehensive assessment of various cable parameters. The correct answer highlights that cable testers can report on both cable conditions and electrical characteristics, which is crucial for ensuring that network cables operate efficiently and meet required specifications.

When measuring cable conditions, these testers can identify issues such as breaks, shorts, or improper wiring configurations that may impede network performance. Additionally, they evaluate electrical characteristics, including resistance, capacitance, and impedance, which help in determining whether the cable can support the intended network speed and technology.

The other options do not cover the full capabilities of cable testers. For instance, only being able to report cable length does not provide sufficient information regarding the functionality and reliability of the cable. Similarly, having access to cable purchase history is irrelevant to the immediate performance or integrity of the cable itself. Finally, reporting solely on signal strength fails to account for the necessary grounding in cable integrity and performance, which is crucial for diagnostic purposes. By providing a detailed overview of both conditions and electrical characteristics, cable testers equip network professionals with the insights needed to maintain a reliable network infrastructure.