Section 8.1: Troubleshooting Network Problems
Learning Objectives
After completing this section, you should be able to
- describe the elements of an effective troubleshooting methodology;
- follow a systematic troubleshooting process to diagnose networking problems;
- use a variety of tools to solve networking problems
Tasks
- Study Chapter 13 of the TD textbook to find answers to the study questions.
- If possible, complete the hands-on Project 13-1.
- Complete Case Project 13-1, 13-2, 13-3, 13-4 and 13-5.
Study Questions
You may want to use the Personal Study Space wiki to answer these questions, which may require some Internet research. You can also post comments and queries in the Unit 8 Forum.
- What steps should be followed in troubleshooting network problems?
- How are the symptoms of a network problem identified?
- How is the scope of a network problem identified?
- How can a problem that results from a network change be pinpointed?
- After a network problem is identified, how may the cause be determined?
- How can more be learned about the causes of a network problem?
- How may it be determined whether network problem symptoms are truly reproducible?
- Why is it important to verify user competency in troubleshooting apparent network problems?
- How is the physical connectivity of a computer network verified?
- How is the logical connectivity of a computer network verified?
- How can a safe and reliable solution to a network problem be implemented?
- How can a solution be tested once it is implemented?
- What potential effects of a solution should be considered?
- Why should problems and solutions be documented?
- What hardware tools are needed in troubleshooting network problems?
- What software tools are needed in troubleshooting network problems?
- How are the right tools chosen for network troubleshooting?
- What is a network monitor?
- What data errors may occur to a network?
- What capabilities does Microsoft's NetMon offer?
- What capabilities does Novell's LANanalyzer offer?
- What is a network analyzer?
- What physical layer problems and symptoms are commonly seen in real network installations?
- Who would usually be involved in network troubleshooting?
- How may vendor information help in troubleshooting network problems?
- Why do others need to be notified of network changes? Who—and how would they be notified?
- How are future problems prevented?
- What should be recorded in a change management system?
