Network Troubleshooting Basics: Some Simple Steps

This article is the fourth and final part of a series on the basics of networktroubleshooting. The tools covered in the previous articles (ping, ipconfig, tracert and pathping) will be combined into a troubleshooting method. This guide will teach you valuable steps in finding where a problem is on a network connection.

One of my networking classes included the basics of troubleshooting a network connection. It included basic command line tools that really were very easy to use and understand. Most of the students thought they were fun to use.

Knowing these commands before having to deal with the frustration of a network connection problem is not a bad idea. A working connection shows you what is supposed to happen. If you see something different, you will know something is up. When problems strike, at the least you can get an idea of what is going on.

How To Calculate a TCP-IP Subnet Mask

If you’re a network administrator, chances are at some point you may need to set up a number of different networks on your IP range. In order to do this, you will need to know how to create different subnets.

There are two main things to remember when trying to calculate subnets. The first is that that default subnet for a range is 255.255.255.0. This subnet, that we all recognize gives you one network with 255 different addresses from 1 to 255. Fairly easy stuff so far. The second thing to remember is the formula needed to calculate a new subnet. For this we have to go back to basics and remember that the number 255 is made up in binary of 8 bits. To get the number 255, all those 8 bits would be set to 1, each one representing a number in decimal in the following sequence. (1, 2, 4, 8, 16, 32, 64, 128). If you add all these numbers together you get 255.

ping-based network monitoring tool

• Ideal for home LAN or office network
  
  
• Email & sound alerts
  
  
• Refresh rate can be set to any period
  
  
• Easy to use
  
  
• Fully configurable - ICMP options
  
  
• Dynamic DNS
  
  
• Runs in system tray
  
  
• Built-in user support
  
  
• Orange feature identifies late echoes
  
• Logs activities 

Download Link
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http://www.peermonitor.com/download.aspx

TestOut Training for Network+

TestOut Training for Network+
http://www.testout.com/networkplus/index.htm

Version: 2.1
Estimated time to complete: 50 hours, 0 minutes
Description: This course prepares you for the CompTIA's Network+ Exam N10-003.