A network diagnostic is a procedure used to determine a computer’s network settings and to troubleshoot Internet problems. If a computer can’t connect to the Internet or the Internet connection is unusually slow, a network diagnostic will usually help pinpoint the cause of connection problems. Network diagnostic procedures are typically performed using hardware or software network diagnostic tools. Some operating systems have built-in network connection utilities to troubleshoot Internet problems. Network technicians can also load hardware that allows them to test and diagnose network problems.
Cat5 cable for use with a network.
Obtaining network information is an important procedure for repairing and troubleshooting computers. When a network appears to be configured correctly, with all cables connected and all necessary modems and routers turned on, the information obtained by running a network diagnostic test during troubleshooting can provide information about network problems. The types of information obtained by a network diagnostic include connection speed, Internet Protocol (IP) address settings, network traffic information, and information about blocked Internet traffic.
A network diagnostic can reveal if there is a problem with the router.
Blocked traffic can be caused by a firewall on the local computer, or it can be implemented by an Internet Service Provider (ISP) to control customers’ Internet use. A user at work or school may experience blocking of website traffic and traffic that the network administrator deems inappropriate or unproductive. Some diagnostic utilities can indicate whether an ISP is blocking traffic to a user’s connection. If a network administrator has entered an incorrect IP, the troubleshooting program can also identify the problem.
Software for diagnosing network problems can be run by a professional network installer or an experienced home networking enthusiast. An experienced computer user can resolve network problems using the information provided by a software network diagnostic tool. These types of network repair tools check a computer’s network configuration and speed to provide information used to discover the source of the Internet connection problem. A network administrator can also use these tools to monitor user traffic on a network.
Windows® XP®, Windows® Vista® and Windows® 7 users can diagnose network problems by accessing “Network Diagnostics for Windows”, a software feature of Internet Explorer®. The Network Diagnostic Tool is a menu option located under the “Tools” selection in the menu bar of the Internet Explorer® browser. Running a diagnostic in this manner should provide the individual with a set of information that can be used to troubleshoot many network connection issues.
When performing network diagnostics, it is helpful to examine the problem using different computers to see if the problems are machine specific.
