📋 Product Description
The Tektronix K18HW-E1 probe represents a high-performance passive monitoring solution designed for telecommunications professionals and network operators. This protocol analysis probe enables real-time capture and analysis of data on E1, DS1, and J1 networks with exceptional accuracy.
Developed by Tektronix, a global leader in test and measurement equipment, this probe is part of the K18 family dedicated to network and service analyzers. It integrates perfectly into network monitoring environments for 2G, 3G, and 4G networks including GSM, GPRS, UMTS, and LTE.
This unit has been carefully tested by our qualified technicians and its proper functioning has been validated across all interfaces and features. It is ready to be deployed immediately in your test or production infrastructure.
⚠️ Important: The photos shown in this listing are for illustration purposes only. Only the content described in this listing is authoritative for the exact product reference and included items. If you have any doubts about specifications or compatibility with your infrastructure, please contact us before purchasing.
⚙️ Technical Specifications
🔌 Interfaces 8 RJ-45 ports for 16 E1/DS1/J1 receivers (8 bidirectional links)
📊 Connection Type High impedance with RJ-45 connectors and adaptable cables
🎯 Supported Formats E1, DS1, J1, 75Ω Coaxial, 120Ω Balanced
💾 Capture Performance >400 Mbps stream to disk without data loss
🖥️ Architecture Remote processing on external PC or server
📦 Form Factor 1U rack-mountable for stationary installation
🔧 Hardware Filters VPI/VCI ATM, Ethernet VLAN, IP address ranges
⚡ Processing Speed Full line rate processing
📡 Applications Monitoring 2G/3G/4G GSM GPRS UMTS LTE
🏭 Brand Tektronix
📝 Reference K18HW-E1
⚖️ Approximate Weight 3.5 kg (estimate for standard 1U unit)
🌍 Country of Manufacture United States / International assembly
✅ Condition Used - Tested and verified in good working condition
🎯 Key Features
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High-Performance Passive Monitoring: Passive capture without interference on the monitored network, ensuring data integrity in production
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Real-Time Hardware Processing: Advanced filters implemented in hardware for instant processing of UTRAN, ATM, and Ethernet protocols
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Exceptional Scalability: Modular architecture allowing expansion from a few links up to hundreds of simultaneous connections
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Multi-Protocol Support: Native support for 2G, 3G, and 4G mobile networks with automatic configuration of UTRAN logical channels
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Professional Portability: Compact 1U format combining mobility for field interventions and stability for rack installation
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Long-Duration Capture: Disk streaming performance over 400 Mbps allowing extended recordings without loss
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Multi-Probe Synchronization: Time synchronization capability between multiple probes for multi-interface analysis
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Hardware Reassembly: Built-in AAL-2 and AAL-5 functions for ATM frame reconstruction
🎁 Customer Benefits
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30-Day Satisfaction Guarantee: Test the equipment in your real usage conditions with our full refund guarantee
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Secure and Fast Shipping: Professional antistatic packaging and reinforced protection with carrier tracking number provided
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Professional Invoice: Paper invoice with 0% VAT (according to applicable regime) included in each package for your accounting
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Tested and Validated Hardware: Complete verification of all functions by our specialized technicians before shipment
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Technical Support Available: Our team remains available to answer your questions about the hardware
⚠️ Disclaimers
Software: This listing concerns only the physical hardware. No software, license, driver, or analysis application is provided with this equipment. The buyer is responsible for acquiring the compatible software necessary for the probe’s operation.
Software Technical Support: We do not provide any technical support regarding the installation, configuration, or use of third-party software. For any software assistance, please contact Tektronix or the network analysis software publisher directly.
❓ Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
📦 What exactly is included in this sale?
This sale includes only the Tektronix K18HW-E1 probe itself, tested and validated in good working condition. Depending on the available configuration, the power supply may or may not be included (check photos and description). No monitoring cables, adapters, SFP modules, software, or additional accessories are provided unless explicitly stated in the listing. For any additional equipment needed for your E1 DS1 J1 network analysis project, please feel free to contact us.
🔌 What cables are needed to connect this measurement probe to my network infrastructure?
The K18HW-E1 probe uses standard RJ-45 connectors on its 8 bidirectional ports. Depending on your telecommunications infrastructure, you will need specific monitoring cables suited to your interfaces: 75Ω coaxial cables for 1.6/5.6 coax connections, 120Ω balanced cables with Bantam or RJ45 connectors, or cables with open ends. Tektronix offers a complete range of MPTCBL cables adapted to each E1 and DS1 telecommunications standard. The protocol analyzer also requires an Ethernet network connection to your workstation or analysis server.
💻 What analysis software works with this Tektronix data capture probe?
The K18HW-E1 probe was designed to work with Tektronix’s NSA (Network and Service Analyzer) software suite. This network analysis platform enables decoding and analysis of 2G, 3G, and 4G protocols including GSM, GPRS, UMTS, and LTE. The NSA software offers advanced filtering, frame reassembly, real-time analysis, and long-duration capture features. Other third-party network monitoring and protocol analysis applications may also be compatible depending on their specifications. Contact us for recommendations tailored to your specific telecommunications test and measurement needs.
🔧 Has this probe been tested and what checks have you performed?
Yes, this Tektronix K18HW-E1 analysis probe has undergone a complete quality check by our technical team. We verified the power supply, the physical integrity of all RJ-45 ports, system recognition via Ethernet connection, and basic capture functionalities. The test equipment is therefore guaranteed operational at the time of shipment. However, in-depth data capture tests require a specialized E1/DS1 network environment and the NSA software, which we do not have in a full configuration. That is why we offer a 30-day satisfaction or refund guarantee allowing you to validate compatibility with your telecommunications measurement infrastructure.
🌐 Can I use this probe for monitoring Ethernet or optical networks?
The Tektronix K18HW-E1 probe is specifically designed for E1, DS1, and J1 interfaces via its 8 RJ-45 ports. It is not natively equipped for Gigabit Ethernet monitoring or STM-1/OC-3 optical interfaces. For these applications, Tektronix offers other models in the K18 range: the K18HW-2STM1 for STM-1/OC-3 optical interfaces with LC connectors, and versions with SFP modules for Fast Ethernet and Gigabit Ethernet. If your project requires a multi-protocol monitoring solution combining E1 and other interfaces, multiple K18 probes can be synchronized to create a scalable monitoring platform covering your entire telecommunications network architecture.
📊 What are the typical applications for this professional network monitoring probe?
This probe is used in many professional telecommunications contexts: validation and troubleshooting of network equipment in test labs, optimization and troubleshooting of GSM GPRS UMTS mobile networks in production, passive monitoring of service quality on E1 infrastructure links, data capture for forensic analysis or regulatory compliance, integration testing of new switching equipment, and performance monitoring in network maintenance centers. Its long-duration capture capability exceeding 400 Mbps and real-time hardware filters make it especially suited for in-depth analysis of signaling protocols and user traffic in telecom operator deployments.
📞 Contact
For any questions about the compatibility of this Tektronix K18HW-E1 probe with your test infrastructure, detailed technical specifications, or to get more information about our other available network measurement and analysis equipment, please feel free to contact us via eBay messaging. Our technical team will respond promptly to assist you with your professional telecommunications equipment acquisition project.
