PACE-IT: Troubleshooting Wireless Networks (part 1)

Troubleshooting wireless networks I.

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Instructor, PACE-IT Program – Edmonds Community College

Areas of expertise Industry Certifications

PC Hardware

Network Administration

IT Project Management

Network Design

User Training

IT Troubleshooting

Qualifications Summary

Education

M.B.A., IT Management, Western Governor’s University

B.S., IT Security, Western Governor’s University

Entrepreneur, executive leader, and proven manger with 10+ years of experience turning complex issues into efficient and effective solutions.

Strengths include developing and mentoring diverse workforces, improving processes, analyzing business needs and creating the solutions required— with a focus on technology.

Brian K. Ferrill, M.B.A.

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Troubleshooting wireless networks I.PACE-IT

– Configuration issues.

– Other issues.

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Configuration issues.Troubleshooting wireless networks I.

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While wireless networks are a huge convenience to users, they do introduce a new set of troubleshooting issues into the network.

Not only do the standard issues that crop up in a wired network need to be considered, the added layer of complexity that adding a wireless access point (WAP) brings to the table will also need to be considered.

When wireless networking is brought into the mix, a very solid troubleshooting methodology becomes just that much more critical.


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– SSID (service set identifier) configuration.

» Symptom: unable to connect to the wireless network.» Probable cause: SSID mismatch.» Possible corrective measure: check that the SSIDs

match exactly (remember they are case sensitive).

– Encryption configuration.» Symptom: unable to connect to the wireless network.» Probable cause: encryption type mismatch or

incorrect security key.» Possible corrective measure: check the encryption

settings on the WAP and on the device to make sure they’re the same.

– Incorrect channel or overlapping channels.

» Symptom: unable to connect or poor performance.» Probable cause: incorrect channels or overlap is

causing the signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) to be reduced—think static.

» Possible corrective measure: adjust WAP settings and device settings (hint: 1, 6, and 11 are the only available non-overlapping channels on the 2.4 GHz frequency).

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– Incompatibilities.» Symptom: unable to connect to the wireless network.» Probable cause: 802.11a being used in an

802.11b/g/n/ac environment, or the wrong frequency compatibilities.

» Possible corrective measure: make sure that you are using equipment with compatible wireless standards.

– Untested updates.» Symptom: unable to connect, or poor performance.» Probable cause: conflict between the update and

other configuration settings or the wireless network settings.

» Possible corrective measure: roll back the system to the prior configuration (hint: it is a best practice to make a backup copy of a system before installing any updates).

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Other issues.Troubleshooting wireless networks I.

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Troubleshooting networks requires a combination of art and science. Some of the best tools in your arsenal will be patience and strategic thinking.

Network issues can express themselves in a multitude of ways. One of the best things that you, as a technician, can do is to see if you can recreate the problem. An issue that can be recreated can usually be resolved easily.

Also, remember that the users you are dealing with are the reason you have a paycheck. Treat them as you would like to be treated—even if it is the tenth time that you’ve reminded Bob that his username and password are case sensitive…


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– Interference.» Symptoms: slow performance and/or intermittent

drops.» Probable causes: overlapping channels, walls, or

other equipment that operates in the same frequencies.

» Possible corrective measures: change the RF channel or frequency, or adjust WAP placement.

– Poor signal strength.» Symptoms: slow performance and/or intermittent

drops, especially toward the edge of your wireless network.

» Probable causes: low RF power settings, antenna type and/or placement, or WAP placement.

» Possible corrective measures: change RF power settings, or adjust antenna and/or WAP placement.

• Caution: increasing the RF power or adjusting equipment placement may cause the signal to go where it was not intended to go.

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– Bandwidth or device saturation.» Symptoms: slow performance and/or intermittent

drops.» Probable causes: too many users or applications for

the available bandwidth.» Possible corrective measures: increase the number

of WAPs and/or change to a wireless standard with more throughput.

– Wrong antenna type.» Symptoms: low or no signal in an area, or signal in an

area where it is not supposed to be.» Probable cause: wrong antenna type for the

coverage.» Possible corrective measure: change antenna type

to suit the required coverage.

– Signal bounce.» Symptom: poor performance in unexpected locations,

or unexpected extended wireless network coverage area.

» Probable cause: RF signals bouncing off of a hard object.

» Possible corrective measure: adjust WAP placement.

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What was covered.Troubleshooting wireless networks I.

Wireless networks add an additional layer of complexity to the network and can increase the number of problems that can occur. Common configuration issues include: mismatched SSID, encryption type mismatch, incorrect or overlapping channels, incompatibilities, and untested updates.

Topic

Configuration issues.

Summary

Wireless network issues can express themselves in a multitude of ways— and troubleshooting those can be a combination of art and science. Some of the issues that can occur include: interference, poor signal strength, bandwidth or device saturation, incorrect antenna type, and signal bounce.

Other issues.

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THANK YOU!

This workforce solution was 100 percent funded by a $3 million grant awarded by the U.S. Department of Labor's Employment and Training Administration. The solution was created by the grantee and does not necessarily reflect the official position of the U.S. Department of Labor. The Department of Labor makes no guarantees, warranties, or assurances of any kind, express or implied, with respect to such information, including any information on linked sites and including, but not limited to, accuracy of the information or its completeness, timeliness, usefulness, adequacy, continued availability or ownership. Funded by the Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration, Grant #TC-23745-12-60-A-53.

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