Network TroubleShooting: Network Component Swap Tests

Often it is unclear whether the problem being encountered is a problem with the users' machine or the network jack. The most straightforward method of isolating the problem to the machine vs. the network connection is to try swapping network components.

• Try New Cables: If there is no second machine available, try a different patch cable. Success with a second patch cable indicates that the first was bad.
  
  
• Swap Network Jacks: If the machine is close enough (or easily moved) to another active network jack, try plugging the malfunctioning machine into the second network jack.
  • If the machine works in the second jack, then there is a network problem with the first jack. Contact netwkops@cats.
  • If the machine fails in the second jack, this points to the machine as the source of the problem, though it is possible that the network is at fault. If a second machine is available, use the " Try Second Machine " test. If not, try the IP Network Check .
    
    
• Try Second Machine: If there is another machine available and nearby, test its network connection. (This presumes that the second machine is known to have worked prior to this test).
  • If the second machine is not functioning in its own jack, then it is likely a network problem.
    • If both machines are having problems connecting to one remote machine (e.g., the printer or CATS mail server only), then the problem is probably with the remote machine. Check remote machine more thoroughly using the IP Network Check.
    • If neither machine can connect to any network services, then there is probably a network problem. Try the IP Network Check.
  • If the second machine is functioning in its jack, connect it to the first machine's jack.
    • If the second machine fails in the first machine's jack, the jack is the problem. Contact netwkops@cats.
    • If the second machine functions in the first machine's jack, then the problem is either the first machine or its cables. Try swapping the network patch cable between the machines to see if the cables are the problem.
      • If the orignal machine functions with new cables, that was the problem. Replace the cables. The NatSci Electronics Shop, bookstore any your favorite IT hardware vendor can sell you cables.
      • If not, the original machine is the problem. Contact the user's computer coordinator.