an ethernet cable for use with an ethernet test - set which allows a single connection to an ethernet port of a network element while maintaining individual connections to two separate ports on the test - set , thereby allowing a successful test of a signal path in an ethernet network to be conducted when the far - end of the signal path is a single ethernet cable port having its transmit and receive pins interconnected . the far - end port interconnections cause a test signal which has traveled to the far - end port to be returned to the test - set and , in view of the cable configuration , to be received in a test - set port other than the port from which the signal test signal originated . test - sets do not permit test signals to be returned to ports from which they originate . in an embodiment , two signal paths can be simultaneously tested with the same test - kit . interconnections between the two test - set ports by way of the cable maintain a “ no - signal ” alarm disabled , which otherwise would be energized because there is no signal being received in the port from which the test signal originated .