Component ProblemsYou Can t Get There from Here

Component ProblemsYou Can't Get There from Here

Just as in a large corporate network, you might have a problem with one or more components that make up the network. Network cards go bad, as do hubs and switches (and even individual ports on a hub or switch). Always keep handy the minimal documentation that comes with your computer(s), network card, hub, switch, router, and other devices so that you'll know what the LEDs mean when you start troubleshooting.

For example, most network adapters have two LEDs you can examine. One is called the link LED and the other is used to indicate activity on the network. If both of these LEDs are off, you might have a bad network card. Before you make that assumption, however, try moving the cable that plugs the card into the hub or switch/router to a different port and see whether that makes a difference. Check the LEDs on the hub or switch/router to determine whether they have link or activity LEDs. Try switching the patch cable that runs between the network adapter and the port on the switch. Above all, read the documentation to understand what the LEDs mean for your specific product.

These same signal lights are also present on switches, including routers with integrated switches. Routers also have additional signal lights to indicate WAN traffic (traffic moving to and from the broadband cable or DSL modem) and diagnostic lights. See your router's documentation for details.

Another thing to think about is that many small hubs or switches have an "uplink" port that allows you to connect the device to another one when you want to expand your small LAN. The pinout for this port is not the same as it is for the other ports. The transmit and receive pins are swapped. If you need to plug a computer into an uplink port, you can usually do so, but there will probably be a small button or switch you need to use to change it from an uplink port to a standard port.