In business or Enterprise networks, network problems can cause disruption to the network applications and other network resources for the continuity of the business operational. The scale of the disruption can vary depends on the source of the disruption (which typically relates to network connectivity problems) and the impact to the continuity of the business.
Network problems can cause the downtime, and the downtime can vary depends on how good you manage the networking environment and also depends on how good your contingency planning is. Well managed network documentation can help you troubleshoot any problems including network problems and reduce the downtime.
There are many types of network problems that can cause the disruption to affect a single computer until global business disruption within the corporate network and many are related to network connectivity problems besides other system issues.
Network cable failure
In wired LAN networks, network connectivity problems caused by the networking cable failure is very often found in small to medium business network, and even in enterprise network. LAN cable failure can impact to a single computer that cannot access to the network resources. This is typically the result of the patch cable failure between a client computer to the nearest LAN switch. To fix it, firstly you need to identify which switch port number is used by the computer, and you can unplug the cable and move to different port to make sure that this is the cable failure. Generally you can fix the problem by replacing the patch cable with a good one.
Network cable failure can cause disruption to a block of the building if the backbone uplink cable is cut for some reasons. This is more serious disruption that affect to a block of the building. In LAN networks that span multiple buildings, the use of redundant backbone cables is very essential to eliminate a single point of failure. In a complex multi switch networks, the Spanning Tree Protocol (STP) must be enabled and manually tuned. STP is a service that allows LAN switches and bridges to be redundantly interconnected by providing a mechanism to prevent bridging loops.
Network Devices Failure
The scale of the disruption can also vary from a single client computer due to its NIC failure; a group of computers due to a LAN switch failure; or even a large scale area due to a single central switch failure. Network problems due to NIC adapter failure will affect to only one computer and thanks to your network card backup that can be used for replacement.
What about Network connectivity problems due to switch failure? You need to ensure that your design about the load balance and high availability (Redundancy) system is working properly in case of network failure. Load balancing and high availability requirements should be individually assessed and is based on using redundant links, router and switch redundancy and multi-homing critical hosts. The aim of a redundant environment is to ensure high availability where no single point of failure exists.
Network redundancy
Let’s have a look at the network diagram shown here about network redundancy.
- Switch redundancy: if network problems exist due to switch A failure, switch B still functional and supply the links to the server; to the other two distribution switches and to the WAN link. This redundancy solution will prevent the network system down due to a single switch failure.
- Router redundancy will backup the WAN link when one of the routers fails. This will prevent a single point of router failure that can cause disruption to the WAN links.
- Link redundancy: backup the link when there is a link failure to the server; or to the switches. The trunk ports of the switch are specifically used for backbone connection between switches.
System Services Failure
Even though the system failure is not caused by the failure of the cabling infrastructure, or typical network connectivity problems, users will complain to you (as system administrator) with the questions something like: Hi Paul, are there any network problems? I cannot access my email …or I cannot access the internet ….or maybe a question from a radio operator “Hi Paul, why I cannot access the Manager folder?”
System services failure can cause disruption to the availability of network resources. For example, if there is a problem with the exchange services – the users will not be able to connect to the Exchange server. The computers will experience a stuck situation for some period of time before finally give-up with the error message.
Virus outbreak
Another type of network problems that is not caused by the network connectivity problems is the virus outbreak. Virus outbreak can cause your networking environment to be flooded with the huge traffic which slows down your network performance. A well managed and secured firewall system in each of the entry point plus well managed anti-virus software will prevent the internet threats such as viruses, and other malwares.
As system and network administrator, you should be able to solve any types of network problems that cause disruption to the network resources. Any kind of network problems or typical network connectivity problems due to network device failure, cabling system failure, or system services failure – you as the system administrator must be able to resolve them. A good design of redundancy network and a well managed system environment is a must in a large networking system.
See also:
- Computer networking diagram – general concept
- Virtual LAN tutorial – basic concept of VLAN
- Computer networking hardware
- Computer network backup solutions
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