Network Troubleshooting Essay

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Knowing how to troubleshoot a network may be the most vital skill in the field of Information Technology and Network Administration. These positions fall into two very different categories; configuration and troubleshooting. Configuration tasks prepare for the expected and require detailed knowledge of system software, but are normally predictable. Once a system is properly configured there is rarely any reason to change it. In contrast, network troubleshooting deals with the unexpected. These issues are usually unique and sometimes difficult to resolve. Troubleshooting frequently requires knowledge that is conceptual rather than detailed. To approach a problem properly, you need a basic understanding of TCP/IP (Hunt & Thompson, 1998). …show more content…

Like the Open System Interconnection (OSI) model, TCP/IP has its own model. The TCP/IP network model represents reality in the world, whereas the OSI model represents an ideal. The TCP/IP network model has four basic layers. The first layer, Network interface layer, deals with all physical components of network connectivity between the network and the IP protocol. Next the Internet layer contains all functionality that manages the movement of data between two network devices over a routed network. Then the Transport layer manages the flow of traffic between two hosts or devices, ensuring that data arrives at the application on the host for which it is targeted. And last, the Application layer acts as final endpoints at either end of a communication session between two network hosts …show more content…

Keep your users informed. This reduces the number of duplicated trouble reports and the duplication of effort when several system administrators work on the same problem without knowing others are already working on it. If you're lucky, someone may have seen the problem before and have a helpful suggestion about how to resolve it. Don't neglect the obvious, check plugs, connectors, cables, and switches. Also, many diagnostic tools are available ranging from commercial systems with specialized hardware and software that may cost thousands of dollars, to free software that is available on the Internet. With your Network Operating System several built-in software tools that can help you gather information about system configuration, addressing, routing, name service, and other vital network components (Hunt & Thompson, 1998). Knowing how to use these tools is an essential factor in maintaining a

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