| The best tool to have on hand when you're diagnosing Internet problems is information about what you should expect when your connection is working. It's very helpful to collect correct output of the TCP/IP diagnostic programs, which I'll discuss later in this chapter, and store the copies in a notebook for reference purposes. You can use the PrntScrn key to take snapshots of the output and setup windows, and then paste the pictures into a WordPad document as a super-fast way of recording this stuff. Here are some things to record: The output of TRacert to a sample Web site. tracert is a tool that records all the intermediate steps that Internet data takes getting from your computer to a site out on the Net. Knowing what the route looks like when things are working can help you tell whether a problem is in your computer or out somewhere on the Internet, beyond your control. The output of ipconfig /all on each of your computers, while you're connected to the Internet. Ipconfig lists all of your networking settings so you can check for mistakes. The network hardware and protocol configuration dialog boxes in Network Connections, as pictures snapped with PrntScrn. If you have a network or a network adapter that you use for a broadband cable or DSL Internet connection, it's handy to record the setup information in case you need to reenter it at a later date. You might need to do that if you replace your network adapter, for example. The configuration of any routers or network connection equipment. If you have an Internet connection sharing device, it's a good idea to record its correct settings in case they are accidentally changed, or if you update or replace the device. You can do this by printing each of its setup screens from your Web browser. The settings for any dial-up connections used. Many ISPs talk you through their setup, and it's important to record the setup information in case you need to reconstruct it someday. Diagrams showing network cabling, hubs, routers, and computers. If your three-year-old is a budding network installer and rewires your computer, it's handy to have a diagram of the correct setup to help you get the all the wiring spaghetti back in order.
In a business setting, documentation of your LAN configuration is a "due diligence" issueit's not optional. Keep it up-to-date, and if you use an outside contractor for network installation or management, be sure that your contract requires good documentation. This way, you'll be armed with supportive information if a problem does occur. |
