Problem of the Week: How to Tell if a Network Problem is Isolated or Widespread

When a wireless problem is reported, no matter how big or small it might seem, network administrators must take a systematic approach to solving it.  This systematic approach streamlines the resolution process, helping an administrator define, isolate, and solve the issue in a faster time. For the first step, defining the problem, we recommend answering this question: “Is it a network problem, or a client problem?”

For example, if a single client reports a login issue, the problem probably lies with that client; but if 10 clients report the same problem, there’s probably a larger network issue with the authentication server.  Understanding how widespread a problem is helps to narrow down the root cause. This information is critical, or administrators might find themselves collecting too little data or spending time collecting too much data.  Only once the proper data is collected can an administrator move on to analysis and resolution.

If this process sounds complex and time-consuming, that’s because it can be.  There is a way to remove the headache though, and make the process efficient and simple: use the Wireless Intelligence Platform’s (WIP) Device Forensics and Client Tests.  With these capabilities, WIP informs IT staff of any problems, and can help identify the root cause. Tests are run continuously and data is automatically analyzed, empowering IT to proactively know if there are any issues, the cause of the issues, and actionable steps for resolution. 

Bring Wyebot Assurance to your network with WIP, and know automatically how widespread a problem is, and what should be done for a quick resolution.