Network Troubleshooting

Planning

• Prevention and a proactive program of preventative maintenance are the best approaches to avoid problems.
• Policies and procedures should be determined during the network planning stages and should include;
• Backing up the network.
• Planning security.
• Standardization of hardware and software.
• Upgrade maintenance.
• Documentation which may include;
• map of the network
• server information and backup schedules
• software information
• telephone numbers of vendors and tech support
• copies of service agreements
• record of problems and solutions

Network Utilities

• The ISO identifies five areas of network management;
1. Accounting management
2. Configuration management
3. Fault management
4. Performance management
5. Security management
• Network Monitoring
• Can be performed with Performance Monitor in NTServer.
• A baseline should be established under normal conditions for future reference.

Troubleshooting Methodology

1. Set the problem's priority.
2. Identify the problem's symptoms.
3. Develop a list of possible causes.
4. Test to isolate the cause.
5. Study the results of the test to identify a solution.