Network diagnostics are used to troubleshoot internet problems and determine a computer’s network configuration. They can be performed using hardware or software tools, and provide information such as connection speed, IP address configuration, and blocked traffic. Windows users can access a built-in network diagnostic tool in Internet Explorer.
A network diagnostic is a procedure used to determine a computer’s network configuration and troubleshoot Internet problems. If a computer cannot connect to the Internet or the Internet connection is unusually slow, a network diagnostic will usually help pinpoint the cause of connection problems. Network diagnostic procedures are typically performed using hardware or software network diagnostic tools. Some operating systems have built-in network connection utilities for troubleshooting Internet problems. Network technicians may also bring hardware that allows them to test and diagnose network problems.
Getting network information is an important procedure for repairing and troubleshooting your computer. When a network appears to be configured correctly, with all cables plugged in and all necessary modems and routers turned on, the information obtained by running a network diagnostic test during troubleshooting can provide insight into network problems. The types of information obtained from a network diagnostic include connection speed, Internet Protocol (IP) address configuration, network traffic information, and blocked Internet traffic information.
Blocked traffic can be caused by a firewall on your local computer, or it can be implemented by an Internet Service Provider (ISP) to control the use of Internet customers. A user at work or school may experience traffic blocking for websites and traffic deemed inappropriate or unproductive by the network operator. Some diagnostic utilities can tell you if an Internet Service Provider is blocking traffic to a user’s connection. If a network administrator has typed in an incorrect IP, the troubleshooter can also identify the problem.
Network troubleshooting software can be run by a network setup professional or an experienced home networking enthusiast. An experienced computer user can troubleshoot network problems using the information provided by a network diagnostic software tool. These types of network repair tools scan a computer for its configuration and network speeds to provide information used to figure out the source of Internet connection problems. A network administrator can also use these tools to monitor user traffic on a network.
Windows® XP®, Windows® Vista® and Windows® 7 users can diagnose network problems by accessing “Network Diagnostics for Windows,” a software feature in Internet Explorer®. The Network Diagnostic Tool is a menu option located in the “Tools” selection on the menu bar of the Internet Explorer® web browser. Running a diagnostic this way should give a person a set of information that can be used to troubleshoot many network connection problems.
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