Having an efficient network is integral to the success of businesses today. Whether you are running a small business with a few PCs or managing a large enterprise network with thousands of PCs and servers, troubleshooting network issues can always be challenging. With thousands of PCs and the increased sophistication of the IT infrastructure, the complexity of troubleshooting has increased twofold during the past few years. However, there are some core troubleshooting tasks that every administrator must be aware of in order to troubleshoot the system regardless of the size or scope of the network.
First off, check the physical connections as they are usually the most common causes of network issues. Physically inspect the wireless access point (AP) or wireless router ports to make sure that the Ethernet cables are properly connected. Verify that the device is powered on and the ports are enabled. Swap the Ethernet cables to isolate a damaged network cable or connector. Also, go over the AP or router manual to make sure that you are using the right type of cable.
Verify your network settings for the wireless network service identifier (SSID) using your wireless access point or router’s administrative GUI. Trace the SSID that you are troubleshooting. While a basic wireless router contains one SSID, a small business or enterprise AP may comprise several SSID used to segregate wireless clients and their traffic. Identify the IP subnet assigned to that SSID along with the AP’s own IP address that should be reachable through this subnet. Check your router’s events log to ensure that the same IP address from the subnet is assigned to the Wi-Fi client when it connects.
If your wireless client is still unable to connect to the network, you need to check the system for wireless-specific problems. Compare your WLAN settings with the client’s wireless connection parameters to ensure that they are using compatible 802.11 standards and the same SSID. If the client’s network list does not mention your SSID, allow SSID broadcasts on your router or AP. If the SSID is hidden, you can add the SSID to the client’s wireless network list manually.
Troubleshooting your wireless network may become complex if your system is experiencing multiple issues. Don’t risk the integrity of your system and rather call our expert IT support team to get your network back on track. Call us at 1-866-531-2614 or send a message at info@it-solutions.ca to get expert guidance for your network issues without a delay.