UC 2 - LO 2 | SET NETWORK CONFIGURATION

LESSON 1: Test Network Connectivity

After reading this lesson, you should be able to (1) test network wiring, and (2)troubleshoot hardware and software.

TESTING THE NETWORK WIRING

The first step to test the network wiring is to make a chart to help keep track of the testing progress. A floor plan
showing where the wires are or a room-by-room listing will work fine. Check each one off when it tests okay.

Once the chart is done, get someone to help you, posting that person at the distant end of the cable from you. In a large
building, use two-way handheld radios or cell phones to communicate; this will move the testing project along faster.

To test your cables, use a cable tester or if you don’t have a cable tester, a volt-ohm meter. If you are going to test a lot
of end-point jacks, then borrow or invest in a cable tester. When the connections are good, with all four pairs of wires in
the cable conducting properly, lights will illuminate on both ends of the tester. Having this tester makes checking a large
number of cables, an easy job.

If you opt to use a volt-ohm meter, you will need to build a patch cable that can be used to sort out the respective pairs
on one end of the cable run so you can check for continuity on the other end. A shorting cord for the distant end of the
cable connects together the appropriate pairs on RJ-11 or RJ-12 or on the Ethernet connector.

If you are going to use this more primitive method instead of a cable tester, you will need three shorted patch cables;
one four-position plug will work for RJ-11 and 12. If you have RJ-25s, you will need to test them with a 6P6C plug; to test
Ethernet cables, you will need an 8P8C plug with the appropriate pairs shorted out. You will then to need to fabricate
another plug and patch cord with the wire stripped back ½ inch for connecting to the leads on the ohmmeter. Each pair
should trigger the alarm on the continuity check or just read a few ohms of resistance, which will vary with distance. The
resistance reading should not exceed 19.7 ohms over 100 meters of cable length.

BASIC NETWORK TROUBLESHOOTING

Network troubleshooting refers to all the measures and techniques assembled to identify, diagnose, and resolve
network issues. The process is systematic and primarily seeks to restore normalcy to the functionality of a computer
network.

Network administrators are charged with the responsibility of identifying network problems and repairing it with the
aim of ensuring a smooth run of operations in the network. They also do whatever it takes to ensure that the network is
operating at optimal levels.

The following are among the many computer network troubleshooting processes:

 Configuration and re-configuration of switches, routers, or any other network component.

 Identifying any network issues and figuring out a way to fix it.

 Installation and repair of network cables as well as Wi-Fi devices.

 Get rid of malware from the network.

 Get firmware devices up to date.

 Installation and uninstallation of software as is necessary.

Network troubleshooting can be done manually or as an automated task-especially when it has to do with network
software applications. Network diagnostic software is a valuable tool when it comes to the identification of network
issues that may not be easy to detect with the human eye. Network troubleshooting includes both hardware
troubleshooting and software troubleshooting.

*Hardware Troubleshooting

This is a form troubleshooting that takes care of issues with hardware components. It may include:

 Removal of faulty or damaged RAM, hard disk or NIC.

 The dusting of computers and other network devices-dust accumulation sometimes leads to malfunctioning of
devices.

 Tightening of cables that connect different network components.

 Updating or installation of important hardware drivers.

Hardware troubleshooting begins with the discovery of a given hardware issue, the cause, and finally, taking the
necessary remedial action.

*Software Troubleshooting

Software entails a set of measures for scanning, recognizing, diagnosing, and offering solutions to issues with software in
the network. It includes issues with network operating systems, diagnostic software as well as software applications
installed on individual network computers.

TESTING YOUR COMPUTER NETWORK

You’ve set up all your network switches, plugged in all the cables, and configured all your computers. One task remains
before you can declare your network finished: You must verify that the network works as expected.

Here are a few simple tests you can conduct to make sure your network is functional.

1. Check the physical connections

Check that the Link light — the little red or green light next to the RJ-45 port — is lit on every computer. You must check
this light both on the computer itself and on the switch or router the computer is plugged into. If this light is not on, you
have a connection problem — most likely a bad cable.
2. Verify that you can log on.

When you’re sure the physical connections are good, you should attempt to log on to each of your network computers
using a valid domain user account.

3. Check the network configuration.

Click the Start button, type cmd and press Enter. Then, enter the command ipconfig /all and press Enter.

This command will spit out numerous lines of information. The line you’re looking for should resemble this:

If this part of the output does not show a valid IP address, you need to check that your IP configuration is set correctly
and that your DHCP server is working.

4. Verify that the computers can ping each other.

Another basic test you should perform is to use the ping command from a command prompt to make sure that the
computers on your network can contact one another.

Do several ping tests. First, make sure that TCP/IP is up and running by having the computer try to ping itself. Open a
command prompt and type ping localhost. The output from this command will indicate whether or not the ping was
successful.

Next, try to ping your servers by name. For example, if your file server is named FileServer01, use the command ping
FileServer01.

Additional Reference:

https://www.dummies.com/programming/networking/testing-your-computer-network/
LESSON 2: Computer Network System Faults/Problems

After reading this lesson, you should be able to (1) identify common networking problems, and (2) solve common
networking problems.

COMMON NETWORKING PROBLEMS AND SOLUTIONS

Duplicate IP address

Damaged or misplaced NIC

No network access

Firewall restriction

Slow internet

Regular network drops

COMMON NETWORKING PROBLEMS AND SOLUTIONS

1. Duplicate IP Address

Sometimes, more than one PC is trying to use same IP address by manual confirmation mistake, this can cause network
issue with the parent network of computer or also it can intermittent network communications.

Solution:

Always try to find and assign a unique IP address for your PC or every computer system.

2. NIC got damaged or not placed well

NIC (Network Interface Card) is the most vital component of computer network is responsible for creating a temporary
connection of your computer to a computer network.
Solution:

For NIC issue check your NIC to find whether it is good or damaged or installed properly or not. And you can also do ping
the computers and analyze the problem and change the settings according to your problems or requirements.

3. No Network Access Issue

Sometimes we see “No Network Access” icon in our working computers or either we see a HTTP 504 web server error
code.

Solution: |

To solve this problem, check each and every component and wires are connected properly and if not then connect it
properly or reset all the connections. You can also check the Hub or Router settings and if anything wrong is there just
correct it or else you can restart the whole setup or connection.

4. Check Firewall Restrictions or Settings

Sometimes, Firewall will restrict and disallow the network access or file sharing between the computers in your network.
That’s due to firewall restrictions which encounters no network issue or deny the network communication. Firewalls are
responsible to protect your PC from threats or malware which can be come into your PC over internet or other network
sources.

Solution:

Change your computer’s firewall settings and enable it for accessing network sharing and services. Then you’ll be able to
connect, share and receive files, data or other media files from your networking system.
5. Slow Internet or Network Speed

You noticed some glitches in speed like slow internet or data transmission over the network then most of time usually
people thought that they’ve excesses the data limit. This is also true but sometimes, it causes due to improper planning
of network which causes the slower internet speed or data transmission over the network.

Solution:

Make sure that all the peripherals are connected and working properly. Use file compression technologies to reduce the
burden of bulky files on network. Find and analyze the users to allocate network bandwidth according to the user’s
needs to avoid excessive use of bandwidth or network space. And check your network card, is it updated or working
properly or not, if anything is wrong then correct or replace it for a smoother networking performance.

6. Regular drops of network

You have noticed regular network connection failures or drops in network connections. Some physical damage of cables
or wrong setup of network peripherals might be responsible for this.

Solution:

Check and identify the faulty areas, and if you see any cut or noise in cables then cut or replace it. Check to ensure the
correct setup of routers, hubs and other network peripherals, and if anything is wrong there just correct it for a smooth
networking experience.

Reference:

http://www.shoutech.in/common-networking-problems-and-solutions/
LESSON 3: NIC Settings

After reading this lesson, you should be able to (1) compare dynamic and static IP address, and (2) configure IP address.

THE IP (INTERNET PROTOCOL)

It is the fundamental protocol for communications on the Internet. It specifies the way information is packetized,
addressed, transferred, routed, and received by networked devices.

IP history

Its development began in 1974, led by computer scientists Bob Kahn and Vint Cerf. It is frequently used in conjunction
with the Transmission Control Protocol, or TCP. Together they are referred to as TCP/IP.

The first major version of the Internet Protocol was version 4, or IPv4. In 1981, it was formally defined in RFC 791 by the
Internet Engineering Task Force, or IETF.

The successor to IPv4 is IPv6, which was formalized by the IETF in 1998. It was designed to eventually replace IPv4. As of
2018, IPv6 governs approximately 20% of all Internet traffic.

AN IP ADDRESS

An IP address is a number identifying of a computer or another device on the Internet.

It is similar to a mailing address, which identifies where postal mail comes from and where it should be delivered. IP
addresses uniquely identify

GOOGLE IP ADDRESS: 216.58.220.196

IP ADDRESS CLASSES

When we show up to the present moment with all of our senses, we invite the world to fill us with joy. The pains of the
past are behind us. The future has yet to unfold. But the now is full of beauty simply waiting for our attention.
Ranges 127.x.x.x are reserved for the loopback or localhost, for example, 127.0.0.1 is the loopback address. Range
255.255.255.255 broadcasts to all hosts on the local network

STATIC VS. DYNAMIC IP ADDRESSES

IP addresses are assigned in two different ways. They may be dynamically assigned (they can change automatically) or
statically assigned (they're intended not to change and must be changed manually). Most home networks use dynamic
allocation. Your router uses DHCP to temporarily assign, or "lease," an IP address to your device. After a period of time,
this lease "expires," and the router renews your old address or assigns you a new one, depending on the needs of the
network and the configuration of the router.

If you have ever tried to change the settings on your router, you may be familiar with the address 192.168.1.1.
Commonly, this is your router's address, If you enter this address into the address bar of your web browser, you can
open your router's configuration interface. (Your router's address may be different - check your manual.)

HOW DATA IS SENT TO AN IP ADDRESS ON ANOTHER NETWORK

The following diagram illustrates how your home computer might obtain an IP address and send data to an IP address
on another network.
ASSIGNING IP ADDRESS

When organizing your home network, it's easier to assign each computer its own IP address than using DHCP. Here we
will take a look at doing it Windows 7, Windows 8.x, and Windows 10.

If you have a home network with several computes and devices, it's a good idea to assign each of them a specific
address. If you use DHCP (Dynamic Host Configuration Protocol), each computer will request and be assigned an address
every time it's booted up. When you have to do troubleshooting on your network, it's annoying going to each machine
to figure out what IP they have.

Using Static IPS prevents address conflicts between devices and allows you to manage them more easily. Assigning IPS to
Windows is essentially the same process, but getting to where you need to be varied between each version.

If you are using windows 7, windows 8.1, windows server or windows 10 do the following instructions.

1. Run Command

Type ncpa.cpl then click OK or press Enter.

2. Network Connection Properties

Right-click on your local adapter and select Properties. In the Local Area Connection Properties window highlight
Internet Protocol Version 4 (TCP/IPv4) then click the Properties button.

3. Checking Default Gateway Address

Now select the radio button Use the following IP address and enter in the correct IP, Subnet mask, and Default gateway
that corresponds with your network setup. Then enter your Preferred and Alternate DNS server addresses. Here we're
on a home network and using a simple Class C network configuration and default configuration based on my router's
configuration setting. In this case connection is connected to a hotspot named as "Public WIFI 1" I used its default
gateway address for default gateway and DNS address. I strongly recommend that if you have router with an internet
connection it is best practice to configure your DNS and default gateway based on your routers address for you to
enable internet connection failure to do so, it may lead to WAN network disconnection.

To check your gateway address, open your command prompt then type Ipconfig.

4. TCP/IPv4 Properties

When you’re finished click OK.

5. Checking Configured IP Configurations

Open the command prompt and type ipconfig to see if the network adapter settings have been successfully changed.
 SELF CHECK 4.3

1. One way of Testing a Network Connection is to check the _______ connections

a.Physical b.Theoretical c.Software d.None of these

2. _________ troubleshooting refers to all the measures and techniques assembled to identify, diagnose, and resolve
network issues.

a.Hardware b.Software c.Network d.None of these

3. Another alternative for testing cables is a __________.

a.Router b.Crimping tool c.Soldering rod d.Volt-ohm meter

4. Network troubleshooting can be done manually or as an __________.

a.Automated b.Machine type c.Semi-automated d.None of these

5. . Network administrators are charged with the responsibility of identifying ________ problems

a.Hardware b.Software c.Network d.None of these

6. . Another basic test you should perform is to use the ______ command from a command prompt to make sure that
the computers on your network can contact one another

a.CMD b.Ping c.Cable tester d.None of these

7. To access the Command Prompt is to Click the Start button, then type _____and press Enter

a.Dxdiag b.%AppData% c.CmmndPrt d.cmd

8. . When you’re sure the physical connections are good, you should attempt to log on to each of your network
computers using a valid domain __________.

a.Router b.RJ45 c.User account d.None of these

9.. One task remains before you can declare your network finished: You must _____ that the network works as
expected.

a.Verify b.Shutdown c.Configure d.None of these

10. Network troubleshooting includes both hardware troubleshooting and ________troubleshooting.

a.Hardware b.Software c.Network d.None of these

11. . _________ entails a set of measures for scanning, recognizing, diagnosing, and offering solutions to issues with
software in the network.

a.Application b.Malware c.Network d.Software

12. This is a form of troubleshooting that takes care of issues with hardware components.

a.Hardware b.Software c.Network d.None of these

13. On a network cable an indication of it working is the _______ indicator

a.Light b.Weight c.Strength d.None of these

14.. Hardware troubleshooting begins with the discovery of a given _________ issue

a.Hardware b.Software c.Network d.None of these

15. The first step to test the network wiring is to make a ______ to help keep track of the testing progress.

a.Blueprints b.Chart c.Plan d.Sandwich