Week 3: Troubleshooting Network Connections
Essential Questions
- Why can't my computer connect to the network? What can I do about it?
Big Ideas
The users in your organization will likely depend upon being able to access your organization's network throughout the day, and even from home or elsewhere, in order to complete their work. Sometimes that work is classwork or homework done by students. Later, it becomes work that people are paid for. When your users can't log on to your network, or they do but the performance is slow or intermittent, you should be able to troubleshoot common issues to help them get the most of their use of your network.
Connection to Student Lives
You probably know how frustrating it can be when you can't get online. Or when you can get online, but the network seems to be crawling or you keep getting dropped. It's not only frustrating to your users, but it can result in the loss of work and ultimately an impact on the bottom line of whatever organization you're working for. If you're a student working on homework and can't access the network, the bottom line can be lowered grades…or worse! In a corporate setting, missing deadlines or not meeting quotas because of network issues means not making money to stay open and pay employees. Being able to troubleshoot common network problems can offset more than just frustration.
Framing Problem
Why can't my computer connect to the network?
Cornerstone Assessment
Given common network access or performance scenarios, students work through troubleshooting strategies to determine how to get a device online or to improve its performance.
DPI Standards
- NCCTE.2020.II22.01.04 - Use appropriate Microsoft command line tools.
- NCCTE.2020.II22.01.05 - Use Microsoft operating system features and tools.
- NCCTE.2020.II22.03.01 - Troubleshoot Microsoft Windows OS problems.
A+ Standards
TOPIC 7C: Troubleshoot Windows
1002-1.4 Given a scenario, use appropriate Microsoft command-line tools.
1002-1.5 Given a scenario, use Microsoft operating system features and tools.
1002-3.1 Given a scenario, troubleshoot Microsoft Windows OS problems.
Knowledge
- How to apply the CompTIA Troubleshooting Model
- Various means to troubleshoot a single computer not connecting to the network
- Strategies to troubleshoot slow transfer speeds
- Reasons why a user might have a SSID not found error
- Describe the effects of allowing older devices to connect to a network
- How a wireless adapter might react if the Received Signal Strength Indicator (RSSI) is not at a minimum required level
- Potential causes of wireless signal issues and how to troubleshoot them
- Command-line tools for troubleshooting IP configuration
- What the ping utility checks and how to use it
- How the tracert utility does and how to use it
- The three additional layers where network services fail beyond cabling, switches/routers, or IP configuration: security, name resolution, or application/OS
- Tips for troubleshooting Internet availability
Skills
- Use the ping utility to perform a basic local connectivity test and follow through troubleshooting wired connectivity
- Describe how to troubleshoot slow transfer speeds and potential issues
- Determine whether a device supports 2.4 GHz and/or 5 GHz bands
- Use command-line tools, such as ipconfig and ifconfig, for troubleshooting IP configuration.
- Use the ping utility to confirm whether a host can communicate with others on a network
- Use the tracert utility
- Explain how to troubleshoot Internet availability when a user has a "No Internet access" message
- Explain why and how to perform a network reset, including how using netstat and nslookup can help
Vocabulary
Troubleshoot Windows
Radio Frequency (RF) signal
SSID not found
Received Signal Strength Indicator (RSSI)
Intermittent connection
Wi-Fi Analyzer
ipconfig, ifconfig
ping
Internet Control Message Protocol (ICMP)
netstate, nslookup
Weekly Map
Monday
Introduction to problem: Troubleshooting Common Network Issues
Online Pre-assessment (available for student practice, as well)
Tuesday
Review content resources with whole group: Topic 9E: Troubleshoot Network Connections
Small group and independent exploration of resources
Wednesday
Hands-on exploration with IT professionals: Activity 9-8: Troubleshooting Network Connections
Small group and independent exploration of resources
Thursday
Hands-on exploration with IT professionals: Activity 9-8: Troubleshooting Network Connections
Activity 9-7: Discussing Network Connection Troubleshooting
Friday
Progress check with individuals or whole whole group
Online post-assessment
Lesson Ideas
As students work through the issues presented in Topic 9E, they should capture their findings for either their personal use or as a contribution to the Help Desk Knowledge Base. For example, when troubleshooting wireless signal issues, students may one to create a tip sheet with screenshots that can be stored and used later. Students could work through stations or mini-labs in which they encounter scenarios for the different issues presented in Topic 9E.
Potential Resources
The Official CompTIA A+ Core 1 & Core 2 Instructor Guide for Exams 220-1001 and 220-1002
- Topic 9E: Troubleshoot Network Connections (pp. 623-633)
- Activity 9-7: Discussing Network Connection Troubleshooting (pp. 634-635)
- Activity 9-8: Troubleshooting Network Connections (pp. 636-638)
Professor Messer at ProfessorMesser.com and YouTube offers numerous free videos of various lengths for many of the topics for the CompTIA 220-1001 A+ Exam. They are easy to understand, narrated videos with visuals. If you are teaching a CompTIA course, the site notes "You're welcome to use them as much as you'd like, provided you embed the videos with the associated YouTube link or link directly to my site. Please click the "Contact Us" link at the top of our web page and let me know how you're using them."
- Professor Messer's 220-1001 Core 2 CompTIA A+ Training Course videos on ProfessorMesser.com. Search or scroll to find the topics you're interested in.
Entry Level I.T. Training from Technology Gee
- Microsoft Command Line Tools (Article | Video – 7:09) – introduced previously
- Troubleshooting Microsoft Windows (Article | Video – 7:50) introduced previously
PowerCert Animated Videos on YouTube
Microsoft Support
- Windows commands
- How to Use TRACERT to Troubleshoot TCP/IP Problems in Windows
- Fix Wi-Fi connection issues in Windows
Other Articles and Resources:
How to Use the Ping Command to Test Your Network by Brady Gavin for How-to Geek
How to Fix a "Wi-Fi Doesn't Have a Valid IP Configuration" Error by Dilum Senevirathne for HelpDeskGeek
How to Reset Network Settings in Windows 10 by Ryan Dube for Lifewire
Tracert Command by Tim Fisher for Lifewire
Windows IP Commands – ipcongif – nslookup – ping – tracert – netstat etc from Networks Training