INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY ASSIGNMENT

1. Define what a network problem is and give examples for the cause.
Network problem refers to an issue or malfunction with in a computer network that disrupts its
normal operations. This problem can manifest in various ways including slow data transmission,
connection failures, data loss, hardware malfunction, software misconfiguration, network
congestion, or the inability to access network resources.
It means also:
 service unavailability that is attributable to any third party internet service provider of
the client
 service unavailability that is attribute to clients activities, client's equipment and
software, and issues with adjoining 3rd party systems under client's responsibility
The problem can be caused by the following:
Power failure: when the power goes out, those device stop working, which means you will lose
connection.
Misconfiguration: an incorrect or suboptimal configuration of an information system or system
component that may lead to venerability.
Security breaches: unauthorized access to computer data, applications, networks or devices
Traffic spikes: a massive and sometimes unexpected increase in internet activity on a website
Spyware: malicious software that enters a user’s computer and gathers data from a device.
An also it can arise from human error, Viruses, Complexity, etc...

2. Give at least five basic network problems and define each of them

 Out of Reach Issue: typically refers to a situation where a device or network resource is
inaccessible or unreachable.
This could happen due to various reasons such as:

 Physical Distance: The device or resource may be physically distant from the user
or the requesting device, making it difficult to establish a connection. For
example, a user might experience an out-of-reach issue when trying to connect
to a printer located in another building.
 Network Connectivity Problems: The device or resource may be connected to a
network that is experiencing issues such as network congestion, hardware
failures, or misconfigurations. This can prevent communication between devices.
 Firewall or Security Settings: Security measures such as firewalls or access
control lists (ACLs) may block access to the device or resource, making it appear
out of reach for certain users or devices.

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 Offline Status: The device or resource may be offline or powered off, preventing
any attempts to connect to it. For example, a server might be offline for
maintenance, making it temporarily out of reach.

 A configuration issue: refers to any misconfiguration or error in the settings of network

devices or services that prevents them from functioning as intended. These issues can
arise due to various reasons such as human error, outdated configurations,
incompatible settings, or conflicts between different devices or protocols. Configuration
issues can lead to network outages, performance degradation, security vulnerabilities,
and other operational problems. Troubleshooting and resolving configuration issues
often involve examining the configuration settings, identifying the source of the
problem, and making appropriate adjustments to restore proper network functionality.

 A software issue: refers to any problem or malfunction within a software program or

application. These issues can range from minor bugs or glitches to more serious errors
that cause the software to crash or behave unexpectedly.
Software issues can arise due to coding errors, compatibility issues with other software
or hardware, insufficient testing, security vulnerabilities, or issues with the underlying
operating system.

 Traffic overload: occurs when the volume of data being transmitted through the
network exceeds its capacity to handle that data efficiently. This overload can lead to
congestion, slowing down data transmission speeds, increasing latency, and potentially
causing packet loss.

 A cable problem: refers to any issue or fault related to the physical cables used to
transmit data between devices within the network.
These issues can include:
 Cable Damage: Physical damage to the cables, such as cuts, breaks, or bends, which
can disrupt the flow of data.
 Connector Issues: Problems with the connectors on the ends of the cables, including
loose connections, bent pins, or corrosion, which can result in poor or intermittent
connectivity.
 Cable Length: Using cables that are too long for the intended distance can lead to
signal degradation and data transmission errors.
 Interference: External factors such as electromagnetic interference (EMI) or radio
frequency interference (RFI) can disrupt the signals traveling through the cables,
causing network performance issues.

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 Improper Installation: Incorrectly installed cables, such as using the wrong type of
cable for the network infrastructure or not properly securing the cables, can result in
poor performance or network downtime.

 Connectivity problems: refer to issues preventing devices or systems from establishing

or maintaining communication with each other.
These issues can manifest in various ways, including:

 No Connection: Devices are unable to establish any connection with the network or
other devices.
 Intermittent Connection: Connections are sporadic, with devices frequently
connecting and disconnecting from the network.
 Slow Connection: Devices experience significantly reduced data transfer speeds
compared to normal operation.

3. List and describe all steps in network trouble shooting from identifying
the problem to documenting the issue
Network troubleshooting involves a systematic approach to identifying and resolving issues
affecting network performance and connectivity. Here are the steps typically involved in
network troubleshooting:
 Identify the Problem: the first step in troubleshooting a network is to identify the
problem. It is begin by gathering information

 Gather information: Collect relevant information about the network environment,

including network topology, hardware components, software configurations, recent
changes, and any error messages or logs associated with the issue.
 Duplicate the problem: on a test piece of hardware or software, if possible. This can
help you to confirm where your problem lies.
 Ask users on the network to learn about the errors or difficulties they have
encountered.
 Identify Probable Causes: Based on the symptoms and information gathered,
generate a list of potential root causes for the issue. Common causes may include
hardware failures, configuration errors, software bugs, or environmental factors.
 Determine if anything has changed in the network before the issues appeared.
 Define individual problems clearly. Sometimes a network can have multiple
problems. This is the time to identify each issue so that your solutions to one is not
bogged down by other unsolved problems.

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 Develop a Scenario: Once you have finished gathering all the information that you can
about the network issue or issues, it is time to develop a working scenario. Sometimes a
network outage occurs because someone tripped on a wire or some other simple
problem.
 Test the Scenario: Using the tools at your disposal, test your scenario. If your scenario is
that the network router is defective, try replacing it with another router to see if that
fixes the issue.
 Develop a plan: Once the problem has been identified and information has been
gathered, the next step is to develop a plan for resolving the issue. This may involve
implementing changes to network configurations, replacing faulty network hardware, or
updating network software.
 Implement the plan: After a plan has been developed, the next step is to implement the
plan to resolve the network issue. This may involve making changes to network
configurations, rebooting network devices, or installing software updates.
 Test the solution: Once the plan has been implemented, the next step is to test the
solution to ensure that the network issue has been resolved. This may involve checking
network performance, monitoring network traffic, and testing connectivity between
network devices.
 Document the issue: Finally, once the network issue has been resolved, it is important
to document the problem and the steps taken to resolve it. This documentation can be
helpful for future reference and for troubleshooting similar network issues in the future.

4. List and define at least five network command line trouble shooting tools

A. Ping: is a command line tool used to test the reachability of a host on an Internet
Protocol (IP) network. It sends ICMP Echo Request packets to the target host and
waits for the Echo Reply packets to confirm connectivity.
A TCP/IP utility that transmits a datagram to another host, specified in the
command. If the network is functioning properly, the receiving host returns the
datagram.
B. Netstat: is a command line tool used to display network connections, routing tables,
and network interface statistics on a computer. It can help troubleshoot network
performance issues, identify open ports, and monitor traffic.
It shows the status of each active network connection. This tool is useful for finding
out what services are running on a particular system.
C. Nslookup: is a command line tool used for querying Domain Name System (DNS)
servers to obtain domain name or IP address information. It can help troubleshoot
DNS-related issues such as resolving hostnames and verifying DNS records.

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D. Traceroute: is a command line tool used to trace the path that packets take from
your computer to a destination host. It shows the routing path and any network
delays or congestion encountered along the way.
It provides information about each hop along the path, including IP addresses,
hostnames, and round-trip times (RTTs), helping to identify network bottlenecks and
routing issues.
E. Ipconfig (Windows) / ifconfig (Linux/macOS): are command-line tools used to display
and configure network interface information on a local system.
They provide details such as IP addresses, subnet masks, default gateways, and DNS
server addresses, helping to diagnose network configuration issues and verify
network settings.

5. List and define five network maintenance tools

I. Wire crimper
Wire crimpers are tools used to crimp or compress electrical connectors onto the ends of wires.
They are commonly used in electrical and telecommunications work to create secure and
reliable connections between wires and connectors.
The primary use of wire crimpers is to attach connectors, such as terminals, splices, or lugs, to
the bare ends of wires. This process involves placing the wire and connector into the crimping
tool's jaws and then squeezing the handles to compress and deform the connector around the
wire, creating a strong mechanical and electrical connection.
II. Cable tester
A cable tester is a tool used to verify the integrity and functionality of various types of cables,
such as Ethernet cables, coaxial cables, and telephone cables. Cable testers perform several
functions to ensure that cables are properly installed and working correctly. Here's a brief
overview of cable testers and their uses:
 Continuity Testing: Cable testers can check for continuity by verifying that electrical
signals can flow uninterrupted from one end of the cable to the other.
 Wire Mapping: Cable testers can also perform wire mapping to identify the wiring
configuration of a cable, including the pin-to-pin connections.
 Length Measurement: Some advanced cable testers can measure the length of a
cable accurately.
 Fault Detection: Cable testers can detect various faults in cables, such as shorts,
opens, and miswires.

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III. Punch – down

A punch-down tool is a handheld tool used in telecommunications and network infrastructure
to terminate and connect wires to a punch-down block, patch panel, or keystone jack. It is
commonly used in structured cabling systems for telephone lines, Ethernet networks, and other
data communication applications.
Use:
 Termination: The primary use of a punch-down tool is to terminate wires onto
connectors or terminals.
 Trimming: In addition to inserting wires, the punch-down tool can also trim
excess wire length.
 Insulation Displacement: Some punch-down tools feature blades that use
insulation displacement technology.

IV. Tone generator

A tone generator is a device or software application that produces audio tones at specific
frequencies. It's commonly used in various fields such as telecommunications, audio testing,
music production, and science experiments. Its uses include:
 Audio Testing
 Telecommunications
 Music Production
 Science Experiments
 Educational Purpose

V. Multimeter
A multimeter is a versatile electronic tool used to measure various electrical properties such as
voltage, current, and resistance. It typically consists of several functions including voltage
measurement (AC and DC), current measurement (AC and DC), resistance measurement, and
often additional features like continuity testing, diode testing, and capacitance measurement.
Multimeters are commonly used by electricians, technicians, and hobbyists for troubleshooting
electrical circuits, testing components, and diagnosing problems in electronics and electrical
systems.
use
 Voltage measurement: To measure the voltage across various components or
points in an electrical circuit.
 Current measurement: To measure the flow of electric current through a circuit
or component.

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 Resistance measurement: To measure the resistance of resistors or other

components.
 Continuity testing: To check if a circuit is continuous (i.e., unbroken) by
determining if there is a low resistance path between two points.
 Diode testing: To check the functionality of diodes in a circuit.
 Capacitance measurement: Some multimeters have the capability to measure
capacitance, which is useful for testing capacitors.