4
Chapter 1
Troubleshooting Methodology
F I G U R E 1 . 1
Today's complex enterprise network
The Problem-Solving Model
I
magine trying to solve a network failure by using a different approach
every time. With such complex networks, the possible scenarios would be
innumerable. Because so many different things can go wrong within a net-
work, it would be possible to start from many different points. Not only is
this an ineffective method of troubleshooting, but it is also time-consuming,
and time is very valuable in a "network-down" situation.
Cisco has designed an effective
troubleshooting model
that contains seven
steps. A troubleshooting model is a list of troubleshooting steps or processes
that can be followed to provide an efficient manner of resolving network
problems. The headings below contain information specific to each step of
the troubleshooting model. (Two of the steps are combined into one section
Campus C
Campus A
Token Ring
Campus B
FDDI
ring
FDDI
ring
LS1010
LS1010
ATM
Frame Relay
Frame
Relay
Ethernet VLAN
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