Troubleshooting Network Connectivity

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Questions and Answers

In a scenario where a user reports a wired network connection issue, what initial step should a helpdesk technician take, assuming the technician is unable to physically access the user's PC immediately?

  • Instruct the user to check the network cable connections, considering potential physical limitations.
  • Remotely reboot the user's PC to refresh the network settings.
  • Use the `Test-Connection` command in PowerShell to check basic network connectivity. (correct)
  • Immediately dispatch a technician to the user's location for on-site troubleshooting.

Which scenario would MOST likely indicate a duplex mismatch or speed negotiation failure between a network card and a switch port?

  • The link LED on the network card is off, while the activity LED is flashing erratically.
  • The link LED on the network card is solid green, but data transfer speeds are intermittently slow.
  • The link LED on both the network card and the switch port are flashing rapidly and simultaneously.
  • The link LED on the network card remains off, even after rebooting both the PC and the switch. (correct)

A user reports intermittent wireless connectivity issues. After verifying that Wi-Fi is enabled and airplane mode is off, what is the MOST effective next step to diagnose the problem, assuming a dual-band (2.4 GHz and 5 GHz) router is in use?

  • Instruct the user to move closer to the wireless router to improve signal strength, and test connectivity again.
  • Advise the user to connect to the 5 GHz version of the trusted access point, as it generally offers less interference.
  • Prompt the user to try connecting to the 2.4 GHz version of the trusted access point to test for frequency-specific issues. (correct)
  • Manually configure the wireless adapter settings to prioritize the 802.11ac protocol.

An IT technician is troubleshooting a network connectivity issue at a remote site and cannot use the Internet Repair Tool locally. Which series of netsh commands should the technician execute remotely via PowerShell to reset the TCP/IP stack and resolve potential Winsock corruption?

<p><code>netsh winsock reset; netsh int ip reset; ipconfig /flushdns; ipconfig /registerdns</code> (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

After exhausting standard troubleshooting steps, a technician decides to use the Network Reset option in Windows 10. Which of the following is the MOST critical consideration before proceeding with this action?

<p>Documenting the current network configuration, including static IP settings and VPN configurations, as Network Reset will revert these to defaults. (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

A technician suspects that a user's slow wireless network speeds are due to interference. Which combination of actions would BEST help identify and mitigate potential sources of interference?

<p>Conduct a site survey with a spectrum analyzer, identify devices operating on the same frequency, and recommend changing the router's channel to a less congested one. (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following factors would MOST likely explain inconsistent performance issues on a newly installed 10 Gigabit Ethernet network, despite the use of Cat 6 cabling?

<p>The cable runs exceed the maximum recommended length for Cat 6 cabling at 10 Gbps. (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

When troubleshooting a network issue, a technician discovers that an expired antivirus product is interfering with web traffic. What is the MOST effective course of action to resolve the issue?

<p>Completely remove the expired antivirus product and install a new, updated antivirus solution. (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

A technician is using the Test-Connection cmdlet in PowerShell to troubleshoot a network issue. What does a successful Test-Connection result definitively indicate?

<p>There is network connectivity between the source and target devices from layer one through layer three. (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What is the MOST likely consequence of failing to properly de-energize a router, including removing any battery backup, before a reboot during troubleshooting?

<p>The router may not fully clear its ARP cache, leading to persistent routing issues. (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

In a corporate environment utilizing enterprise-grade switches, what is the MOST reliable method to confirm a successful link negotiation between a PC's network card and the switch port?

<p>Checking the switch's management interface for the negotiated speed and duplex settings. (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following tools provides the MOST comprehensive network diagnostics, including switch port details, VLAN information, and cable testing, in a portable format?

<p>The LinkRunner AT 2000 by NetAlly. (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What is the MOST critical factor to consider when evaluating the results from internet speed testing tools like DSLReports.com or Speedtest.net?

<p>The consistency of results across multiple tests and servers. (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

A user reports that their wireless network performance degrades significantly when a microwave oven is in use. Which of the following actions would be MOST effective in mitigating this issue WITHOUT replacing the microwave?

<p>Switching the wireless router to a channel in the 5 GHz band. (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

An IT professional is tasked with analyzing a Windows wireless report generated using netsh wlan show wlanreport. What type of information can be MOST effectively extracted from this report for advanced wireless troubleshooting?

<p>Historical data on connection attempts, disconnections, and potential reasons for failures. (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

How do PCs validate layer one stability before transmitting data across a wired Ethernet connection?

<p>By transmitting pulses to verify the physical connection. (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

A technician suspects a faulty network cable is causing intermittent connectivity issues. Which test, performed using a portable network troubleshooting tool, provides the MOST definitive confirmation of the cable's integrity?

<p>Conducting a wire map test to verify proper pinout and identify any breaks or shorts. (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

A technician needs to quickly assess whether a PoE-powered device is receiving adequate power. How can this be MOST efficiently achieved using a portable network troubleshooting tool like the LinkRunner?

<p>By utilizing the tool's built-in PoE testing capability to measure voltage and current delivery. (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What is the MOST significant risk associated with using the Internet Repair Tool without creating a system restore point beforehand?

<p>The tool could corrupt system files, leading to instability or boot issues. (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

A user reports that their USB 3.1 external hard drive causes their 2.4 GHz Wi-Fi connection to become unstable whenever the drive is actively transferring data. What is the MOST likely cause of this interference?

<p>The USB 3.1 cable is poorly shielded, allowing radio frequency interference to leak and disrupt the Wi-Fi signal. (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Flashcards

Network Troubleshooting

A crucial ability for IT professionals to diagnose and resolve network issues, especially at the helpdesk or level one support.

Steps for Troubleshooting

Check physical connections, look at LED indicators, test remotely, and ensure proper configurations to resolve issues.

Network Card LEDs

One LED indicates link status, another shows Ethernet traffic.

Test-Connection

Command-line tool in PowerShell used to verify network connectivity from layer one through layer three.

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LinkRunner AT 1000/2000

A comprehensive tool by NetAlly that tests switch port name, VLAN, link speed, duplex, and cable integrity.

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Windows Network Troubleshooter

A free tool included with Windows OS, it automates a series of diagnostic scripts to identify and resolve common network problems.

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Network Reset

Resetting all network settings to default, often a last resort, and may impact custom configurations like VPN software.

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Internet Repair Tool

A portable application designed to repair common network issues by applying targeted fixes.

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Wireless Interference

Signals that disrupt Wi-Fi, causes by microwaves, cordless phones, concrete walls, and USB 3.1 devices.

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Wireless Report

A comprehensive report generated using netsh commands, provides detailed insights into wireless network activity and potential issues.

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Internet Speed Tests

Used to measure network speed and throughput, verifying if a system is functioning as expected.

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Study Notes

Troubleshooting Network Connectivity Fundamentals

  • Troubleshooting network connectivity is a crucial skill for IT professionals, especially at the helpdesk or level one support.
  • Best practices for wired and wireless users, both local and remote, are important.
  • PowerShell and other tools can aid in diagnosing network issues.
  • Portable tools can assist in troubleshooting network connectivity problems.
  • Wireless interference can significantly impact network connectivity and speed for wireless clients.
  • Internet testing tools can verify proper system functionality before closing helpdesk tickets.
  • Focus will be on Windows 10, progressing from simple to complex solutions.
  • Some steps are suitable for anyone, while others are best left to IT professionals.
  • New five-speed PCI Express network cards (1Gb to 10Gb) are emerging.
  • Cat 6 cable is needed for 5 gigabit speeds, and Cat 6a for 10 gigabit speeds.

Identifying Connection Type

  • Determine if the connection is wired or wireless.
  • In offices, connections are typically wired with network cables.
  • Working from home with a cable plugged into a router indicates a wired connection.
  • Laptops at home usually connect wirelessly.
  • Tablets almost always connect wirelessly.

Troubleshooting Wired Connections

  • Wired connection problems are often reported by coworkers.
  • Always check if the network cable is properly plugged in.
  • Be mindful of the user's physical limitations when asking them to check connections.
  • Workplace PCs can be located in dusty and dirty locations.
  • Janitorial vacuum cleaners can damage network cables.

Understanding Network Card LEDs

  • LEDs on computer equipment provide diagnostic information for technicians.
  • Learn the LED indicators on various devices like printers, network cards, and computers.
  • Network cards have two LEDs: one for link and one for activity.
  • A solid LED indicates link status (often green, may indicate speed with color).
  • A flashing LED indicates Ethernet traffic.
  • Some low-cost PCs and laptops may lack LED indicators.
  • Enterprise switches also have link and activity LEDs.
  • The link LED indicates communication between the network card and the switch port.
  • PCs transmit pulses to validate layer one stability before data transmission.
  • Auto negotiation occurs between the NIC and the switch for link speed and duplex.
  • The network card ensures the link lights are on at both the switch port and the network card.
  • A failed speed or duplex negotiation will cause the link light to stay off.
  • Powering off or resetting either device will cause the link light to turn off.

Remote Connection Testing

  • Before physically going to a user's location, test the PC remotely.
  • Use PowerShell with the Test-Connection command to check connectivity.
  • PowerShell is Microsoft's preferred tool for network tasks.
  • Test-Connection verifies connectivity from layer one through layer three.
  • Failure indicates a connectivity issue before on-site visits.

Troubleshooting Wireless Connections

  • Ensure Wi-Fi is turned on and airplane mode is off.
  • Verify the wireless icon is present in the system tray.
  • The system tray displays available trusted access points.
  • Disconnecting and reconnecting to the network can resolve issues.
  • Trying a 2.4 GHz version of the trusted access point can help.
  • Always connect to trusted devices only.

Portable Network Troubleshooting Tools

  • The LinkRunner AT 1000 and AT 2000 by NetAlly are comprehensive tools.
  • These tools offer switch port name, VLAN, link speed, duplex, and cable testing.
  • Features include copper cable tests, wire mapping for patch cables, cable length, and power over Ethernet (PoE) testing.
  • These tools are expensive (around $1200).
  • A lower-cost alternative offers link to switch tests, DHCP validation, gateway information, and internet connection tests.
  • The lower-cost alternative sends results to a phone with a ten-second test.
  • Amazon offers various network connectivity testers at different price points.
  • The LinkRunner is the best tool for fast, reliable, and effective troubleshooting.

Browser and Malware Checks

  • If network connectivity is fine but the browser isn't working, try an alternate browser, like Edge or IE.
  • Malware and viruses can affect network connectivity.
  • Expired antivirus products can sometimes block web traffic.
  • Removing such antivirus products may be required.

Using Windows Network Troubleshooter

  • Access the Windows Network Troubleshooter via Start > Settings > Network & Internet > Network Troubleshooter.
  • The troubleshooter automates a series of diagnostic scripts.
  • Alternatively, manually run commands like netsh winsock reset, netsh int ip reset, ipconfig /release, ipconfig /renew, and ipconfig /flushdns in PowerShell with admin rights.
  • Run the network troubleshooter from the command line using msdt.exe -id NetworkDiagnosticsNetworkAdapter.
  • A customizable PowerPoint slide deck and PowerShell netsh tool document (RTF and PDF) will be provided in the video description.
  • Maintain a text document with command-line tools for quick access.

Router Reboot

  • If the network troubleshooter fails, reboot the router.
  • Unplug the router's power cable and remove any battery backup.
  • Let the modem de-energize completely for 30 seconds.
  • Understand the LED lights on the ISP modem to identify issues.
  • Take pictures of the LEDs when the modem is functioning correctly.
  • The LEDs help with intelligent communication with tech support.
  • The same applies to the demarcation zone in business environments.

Network Card Driver Reinstallation

  • Uninstall and reinstall the network card driver.
  • Go to Device Manager, find the network adapter, right-click, and uninstall.
  • Scan for hardware changes to reinstall the driver automatically via plug-and-play.

Network Reset

  • As a last resort, use the Network Reset option.
  • Access it via Start > Settings > Network & Internet > Network Reset.
  • This is a radical reset that can impact VPN software.
  • It resets all network settings and requires a logoff and redo.

Internet Repair Tool

  • The Internet Repair Tool is a portable app for network troubleshooting.
  • Create a restore point before using it.
  • Use only the necessary tools and avoid unnecessary fixes.
  • Start with the minimal fixes and work your way down.

Wireless Interference

  • Wireless interference is a major cause of slow or no network traffic.
  • Common sources of interference include microwave ovens, cordless phones, tablets, and satellite services.
  • External sources include power lines, electrical railroad tracks, and power stations.
  • Other sources include Wi-Fi cameras, baby monitors, two-way radios, and remote-controlled toys.
  • Concrete walls can block Wi-Fi signals.
  • Understand what creates wireless interference.
  • USB 3.1 devices and cables can interfere with wireless signals due to poor design.

Wireless Report

  • Microsoft provides a wireless report for IT pros.
  • Use netsh commands to analyze the wireless report.

Internet Speed Testing Tools

  • DSLReports.com is useful for verifying PC functionality.
  • It offers fiber, cable, DSL, and satellite tests.
  • It uses multiple servers for accurate throughput measurements.
  • Fast.com, powered by Netflix, is good for testing video uploads and downloads.
  • It provides unloaded and loaded tests with customizable settings.
  • TestMy.net offers accurate upload, download, and latency tests.
  • Speedtest.net provides accurate download, upload, and latency measurements, along with IP address information.

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