Network maintenance and troubleshooting guide : field-tested solutions for everyday problems

Author(s)

    • Allen, Neal

Bibliographic Information

Network maintenance and troubleshooting guide : field-tested solutions for everyday problems

Neal Allen

Addison-Wesley, c2010

2nd ed

  • : pbk.

Available at  / 1 libraries

Search this Book/Journal

Note

Includes index

Description and Table of Contents

Description

Network Maintenance and Troubleshooting Guide Field-Tested Solutions for Everyday Problems, Second Edition Neal Allen The 100% practical, real-world guide to anticipating, finding, and solving network problems-fast! Real-life networks don't always behave "by the book." Troubleshooting them requires practical intuition that normally comes only with experience. In this book, Fluke Networks' Neal Allen brings together all that hard-won, hands-on insight: everything you need to discover what's really happening in your network, so you can anticipate and fix problems before users even notice them. Writing for network technicians and administrators at all levels, Allen presents an approach to troubleshooting that has been proven in networks of all kinds, no matter how complex. He introduces indispensable triage and troubleshooting techniques for everything from copper and fiber cabling to IPv6, and presents unparalleled guidance on identifying and resolving problems at the MAC Layer. He illustrates his advice with diagrams, tables, and screen captures from Fluke Networks' market-leading instruments. Throughout this book, Allen also offers practical summaries of each of today's core networking technologies, making it an ideal complement to any network certification study guide. Coverage includes Using the OSI model to more efficiently troubleshoot networks layer by layer Copper and fiber-optic cabling: theory, operation, and troubleshooting Media Access Control (MAC) Layer: Ethernet theory and operation Identifying and resolving problems related to IPv4 and IPv6 protocols Preventing problems before they occur Discovering device behavior Troubleshooting switches Using a protocol analyzer more successfully Creating network documentation that helps you more efficiently prevent and resolve problems Road tested by thousands of Fluke Networks customers, this book's first edition became the best-kept secret resource for sysadmins, netadmins, and support technicians fortunate enough to discover it. Now, Allen has thoroughly updated his classic for today's networks. If you're responsible for maintaining one of those networks, you'll find this new Second Edition even more indispensable. Neal Allen is a senior staff engineer in the Fluke Networks' Technical Assistance Center (TAC) focusing on escalated problems. He has been involved in designing, installing, and troubleshooting networks for nearly 20 years. Allen has served on Interop's trade show Network Operations Center (NOC) team since 1993, troubleshooting show-floor problems at the Las Vegas and Atlanta Interop trade shows, and helped support and troubleshoot the network for the 1996 Atlanta Olympic Games. His responsibilities currently include product feature specification and beta testing, remote and onsite problem solving, and providing training and sales support worldwide. informit.com/aw Cover design by Louisa Adair Cover photography from Image Source / Getty Images

Table of Contents

Introduction Chapter 1: Using the OSI Model Quick Tour of the OSI Model Seven Layers of the OSI Model Layer 7: Application Layer Layer 6: Presentation Layer Layer 5: Session Layer Layer 4: Transport Layer Layer 3: Network Layer Layer 2: Data Link Layer Layer 1: Physical Layer Networking Devices and the OSI Model Repeaters Bridges Routers Switches Switch Forwarding Techniques Common Networking Tools Network Management Tools Protocol Analyzers Handheld Network Analyzers Cable Testers Flow Protocols Summary Chapter Review Questions Chapter 2: Copper Media Standards Basic Cable Uses Test Parameters Basic Tests and Parameters Required for In-Channel Testing Basic Frequency-Based Test Parameters Related to In-Channel Testing Advanced Frequency-Based Test Parameters Related to In-Channel and External Testing Other Commonly Referenced Test Parameters Test Configurations What Should Be Tested? Grounding and Shielding Cable Summary Chapter Review Questions Chapter 3: Fiber Optic Media Safety Light Glass Standards Fiber Optic Cable Design Fiber Cable Construction Cable Construction Connector Types Test Parameters Field Testing Parameters Light Behavior Dispersion Modal Bandwidth Critical Angle Bending Fiber Graded Index Light Sources Launch Conditions Mandrels Mode Conditioning Absorption Fresnel Reflections Fiber Termination Polish Fiber Alignment Errors and Manufacturing Flaws Testing Practices and Tools Test Methods Tools Levels of Testing Tier 1 Tier 2 Precautions for Measurement and Testing Summary Chapter Review Questions Chapter 4: Media Access Control Layer Ethernet and the OSI Model Frame Structure Bits to Bytes Bytes to Field Groupings Basic Ethernet Frame Fields Theory of Operation Interpacket Spacing Retransmission Error Handling Duplex Frame Bursting Auto-Negotiation Power over Ethernet (PoE) Ethernet Implementation Details 10 Mbps Versions of Ethernet 100Mbps Versions of Ethernet 1000Mbps Versions of Ethernet 10Gbps Versions of Ethernet 10GBASE-T Receive Process Ethernet for Subscriber Access Networks Summary Chapter Review Questions Chapter 5: Data Link Layer Bridges Bridge Forwarding Table Effect of Forwarding Priority Spanning Tree Protocol VLANs MAC Control Sublayer Frame Structure Slow Protocols Link Aggregation Sublayer Operations, Administration, and Maintenance (OAM) Sublayer Logical Link Control Sublayer 802.2 LLC 802.2 LLC Field Definitions 802 SNAP 802 SNAP Field Definitions Novell Raw Summary Chapter Review Questions Chapter 6: Network Layer Routers OSI Model Implications: Effect of Forwarding Internet Protocol (IP) IPv4 Addressing Internet Control Message Protocol (ICMP) IPv6 Addressing ICMPv6 Summary Chapter Review Questions Chapter 7: Transport Layer TCP and UDP Ports Transmission Control Protocol (TCP) TCP Segments and Maximum Segment Size (MSS) TCP Sockets and Connections Opening and Closing Connections Sequence and Acknowledgment Numbers Retransmission Selective Acknowledgment (SACK) Window Size, Window Scaling, and Sliding Window Congestion Control TCP Segment Structure User Datagram Protocol (UDP) User Datagram Protocol (UDP) Datagram Structure Summary Chapter Review Questions Chapter 8: Preventing Problems Strategy for Network Maintenance 1. Management Involvement in Network Decision Making 2. Preparation and Planning 3. Problem Prevention 4. Early Problem Detection 5. Quick Problem Isolation and Resolution 6. Investing More in Tools and Training Rather Than Additional Staff to Accommodate Network Growth 7. Quality Improvement Approach to Network Management and Maintenance Documentation Methodology Discovery and Baselining Design Assistance Validation Create a Server Log and Software Library Create a Network Diagram Cable Plant Documentation Develop a Baseline Traffic Monitoring Proactive Activity and Preparedness Monitoring the Physical and MAC Layers Monitoring the Network Layer Monitoring the Transport Layer Application Monitoring Summary Chapter Review Questions Chapter 9: Troubleshooting Best Method Process Eight Key Steps to Successful Troubleshooting Step 1. Identify the Exact Issue Step 3. Localize and Isolate the Cause Step 4. Formulate a Plan for Solving the Problem Step 5. Implement the Plan Step 6. Test to Verify That the Problem Has Been Resolved Step 7. Document the Problem and Solution Step 8. Provide Feedback to the User A Place to Start Summary Chapter Review Questions Chapter 10: Troubleshooting Media Troubleshooting Copper Media Tools General Testing and Installation Issues Troubleshooting Fiber Optic Media Tools General Testing and Installation Issues Summary Chapter Review Questions Chapter 11: Network Troubleshooting Tools Cable Testers Protocol Analysis Network Management Flow Protocols Handheld Network Analyzers Advanced Analysis Products Troubleshooting Generalized User Complaints Problem: Can't Connect Problem: Connections That Drop Problem: Slow or Poor Performance General Troubleshooting Advice Specific Error Types Some Simple Guidelines Specific Test Suggestions Summary Chapter Review Questions Appendix A: Copper Test Failure Cause Tables Wiremap Length Propagation Delay or Delay Skew Insertion Loss (Attenuation) NEXT and PSNEXT Return Loss ACRF and PSACRF (ELFEXT and PSELFEXT) Resistance Characteristic Impedance Impulse Noise Alien Crosstalk Mitigation Appendix B: Waveform Decoding Exercise Module 1: Counting Systems and Encoding Methods Counting Systems OSI Seven-Layer Model Signaling and Encoding Methods Module 2: Decoding a Waveform into Ethernet 10Mbps Transmission Process Decoding the Waveform Module 3: Using Standards Documents and RFCs Standards and RFCs Module 4: Using a Protocol Analyzer OptiView Protocol Expert in Five Buttons Protocol Expert Lab Appendix C: Auto-Negotiation FLP Field Definitions Base Page Message Pages Unformatted Pages Extensions to Auto-Negotiation for 1000BASE-X Extensions to Auto-Negotiation for 10GBASE-T Appendix D: Discovering Device Behavior At What Layer Does This Device Operate? Test #1: Basic Functionality Test #2: The Gray Area Test #3: Find Any Configured VLANs How to Use the Test Results Collision Domain Broadcast Domain Different Network Appendix E: Techniques for Troubleshooting Switches What Problems Are Encountered in Switched Environments? How Do You Find Which Port or Switch Has a Problem? Techniques for Troubleshooting a Switch Method 1: Access the Switch Console Method 2: Connect to an Unused Port Method 3: Configure a Mirror or Span Port Method 4: Connect to a Tagged or Trunk Port Method 5: Insert a Hub into the Link Method 6: Place the Tester in Series Method 7: Place a Tap Inline on a Link Method 8: Use SNMP-Based Network Management Method 9: Have the Switch Send Flow Technology Summaries Method 10: Set Up a Syslog Server Method 11: Use the Server (Host) Resources Method 12: Use a Combination of Methods Troubleshooting Methods: Conclusion Appendix F: Simple Network Management Protocol SNMP Operation SNMPv1 SNMPv2 SNMPv3 SNMP Use Appendix G: Troubleshooting with a Protocol Analyzer Understanding a Web Page Connection DNS Query ARP Query TCP Connection Data Transfer Closing the Connection DNS Failure Protocol Analyzers and Protocol Knowledge Appendix H: Network Diagnostic Products Used in This Book What Tool to Start With? Network Operations Network Engineering Network Technicians Network/PC Support Help Desk Media Test DTX 1800 Cable Analyzer OptiFiber Certifying OTDR AnalyzeAir Wi-Fi Spectrum Analyzer Network Analysis: Hybrid Handhelds OptiView EtherScope NetTool LinkRunner Protocol Analysis Capture Built-in Features Alarms and Triggers Data Storage and Reporting Flow Protocols Analysis Visual Performance Manager Visual UpTime Select NetFlow Tracker Application Performance Appendix I: Answers to Chapter Review Questions 9780321647412 TOC 9/29/2009

by "Nielsen BookData"

Details

Page Top