TIP: Its good to remember that whenever your Local Area Network face any type of problem and you don't know the cause, always check the physical connectivity sources first. These sources include on all types of cables, devices that are working on the cables (i.e., hubs, repeaters, etc), connectors; they are inserted tightly or just left loose. For example, your computer is running and you cannot see the view on the screen. What you have to do is: Never do the surgeries with CPU and VGA card, but first check that if cables are inserted properly into their appropriate slots and they are not loose. Always think that there is not any problem, then just check the cables. Behaving in this manner may release your tension that is created by the problem.
A cable might have a short or a break, or it might be attached to a faulty connector. Tools such as DVMs and TDRs (I ll be explaining them in my next articles) help search out cabling problems.
If a workstation cannot access the network, and you think the problem might be the cabling, try disconnecting the network cables and attaching them to a portable PC.
TIP: Usually 'Network Gurus' keep an extra computer that is desktop or laptop. This computer is used when they want to search the faults. For instance, if the portable computer reaches the network, cabling is not your problem, you may consider the network cards and their appropriate drivers to be checked first.
When troubleshooting any network, begin with the more obvious physical problems. For example, the network never operated correctly, your first step is to make sure that all connectors are tight and properly connected, that ground wires and terminators are used when required, and that manufacturer's specifications (such as cable grade, cable lengths, and maximum number of nodes [workstations]) are met and are consistent with the specifications for the transmission medium.
More technically, try the following checks when troubleshooting network-cabling problems:
1. With 10BaseT, make sure the cable used has the correct number of twists to meet the data-grade specifications.
2. Look for electrical interference, which can be caused by tying the network cable together with monitor and power cords. Outside, fluorescent lights, electric motors, and other electrical devices can cause interference.
3. Make sure that connectors are pinned properly and crimped tightly.
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