In simple terms, a network is a collection of computers and other (communication) devices that are connected facilitating communication and sharing of resources. Networks are classified on various criteria including but not limited to method of connection, scale, network architecture and network topology. Some of the most popular types of networks are; personal area network (PAN), local area network (LAN), home area network (HAN), campus network, office area network (OAN), wide area network (WAN), global area network (GAN), enterprise private network (EPN), virtual private network (VPN), internetwork, and overlay network. If you are a network manager, you will have to undertake network troubleshooting at one time or another. Following are some simple tips that will assist you in this task;
• Mark Moroses, Senior Director, Technical Services and Security Officer at Maimonides Medical Center in New York terms a formal inventory of computers/workstations and servers, instrumental in identifying root cause of the problem. Two of the easiest and most popular softwares to assist you in this task are Bindview's NETinventory and Tally Systems' TS Census.
• Network diagramming software helps identify (critical) communication links between network equipment. Experts recommend using Microsoft's Visio 2003 for chalking out the physical configuration of a network.
• Device polling system is a software that periodically checks devices on the network (such as servers, laptops, printers, etc) for connectivity. It reduces lead time in identifying or reporting the problem making it easier for IT staff to correct it.
• Application logs provide a history of process errors detailing when a process was halted and why. Used in combination with network device logs, they can assist Network Managers in identifying faults.
• As mentioned, network device logs for laptops, printers, routers and switches can reduce lead time for diagnosing a problem. When configuring the network, it is a good idea to configure the system in such a way that all logs are sent to the server making it easier for the Managers to identify the problems.
• Using various softwares such as Microsoft Excel to establish trends in system and application logs will help Network Managers to identify cyclical trends in problems, if any.
• A remote control tool is an ideal solution for companies having offices and thus networks spread over a wide geographical area since it allows checking problems, patching and reconfiguring remote devices and workstations remotely. This reduces lead time for resolving problems and improves effectiveness and efficiency of both equipment and staff. Some of the most popular remote control tools recommended by experts are Symantec's PCAnywhere, Funk Software's Proxy, VNC (Virtual Network Computing) and CrossTec's NetOp Remote Control.
• A software and hardware based protocol analyzer will be your best defense against complicated problems since such issues will be hard to identify without packet level information. Experts recommend using the following software and hardware based protocol analyzers; Finisar's XGig Analyzer Suite, the Ethereal protocol analyzer and Flukes OptiView Protocol Expert.
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