Overview

There are several tools available to help in the troubleshooting process. The best time to learn about these tools is not when a problem is encountered but to explore and learn these tools when the network is functioning correctly. This way network baselines can be established and recorded. When problems occur, administrators should refer to the normal baseline to identify inconsistencies more quickly.

An administrator should be fluent with all the following tools:

  • Command line (UNIX, DOS, Cisco IOS)
  • Windows, UNIX, IOS utilities
  • Protocol Analyzers
  • Network Management Systems
  • System logs

The following section highlights some of the tools available and their typical use. It is assumed that the reader is proficient with most of these tools.

Lab Activity

Lab Exercise: Troubleshooting Problems at All Logical Layers

In this lab, the student will use a troubleshooting methodology and Cisco commands to define, isolate, and correct issues.