| When the network goes down, the immediate | | | | expensive equipment is built with a certain amount |
| reaction of most people--even of many | | | | of redundancy, so it can keep working, even if |
| technicians--is to assume the worst. It's the | | | | something does break. |
| server! It's the router! It's the Internet connection! | | | | The cheapest equipment, on the other hand, is |
| Of course, any of these may be true--but the | | | | considered expendable. It is more cost effective |
| odds are the answer is much less complicated. | | | | for the manufacturer of a patch cable, an |
| While it may be counterintuitive, it's usually the | | | | adapter, or a power strip to replace it if it goes |
| simplest things--not the complex, expensive | | | | out, than to spend a lot of time and money |
| things--that break. A loose network cable, an | | | | producing versions of these items that never fail. |
| unplugged power cord, a misconfigured software | | | | Consequently, it is a better use of your time to |
| setting--all are common causes of computer | | | | check these "expendable" products first. |
| network problems. | | | | I recommend that you keep spare network |
| What does this mean for you? Well, first--check | | | | cables of various lengths around the office. |
| the cables. Let me repeat that with the | | | | Several useful lengths include 7', 10' and 25'. |
| appropriate emphasis: Check the cables! If you | | | | Expanding on this, I recommend keeping spares |
| can't get to the Internet, or to your server, or to | | | | of any item that costs less than $25. In addition |
| another computer on the network, then take a | | | | to network cables, this includes mice, keyboards, |
| few minutes to make sure the network cable for | | | | power strips, power cords, telephone cords, and |
| your PC is securely plugged into the wall, and into | | | | even USB hubs. This will give you the ability to |
| your computer. Also, verify that your PC has a | | | | quickly replace any inexpensive item that has |
| "link light." This is a green or amber LED (light | | | | failed, if the failure is keeping you from working. |
| emitting diode) located next to the computer's | | | | The principal of "the simplest things break first" |
| network jack, that indicates you are physically | | | | also extends to software. Any software |
| connected to the network. If this light is off, then | | | | configuration setting can be considered "simple," |
| either the network is down, or your cable is bad. | | | | when compared to the interior workings of your |
| And cables do go bad. They get unplugged, they | | | | server or router hardware. Because software |
| get kicked, they get pulled, they get caught on | | | | settings are user configurable, they occasionally |
| things and jerked in ways that can twist and | | | | get changed--even when users don't realize they |
| break the wires inside. Often, the damage is not | | | | are changing them. |
| visible--your only clue is that you lose your | | | | It's a good practice to keep records of the |
| network connection. | | | | configuration settings for all your crucial |
| Trust me--you will be a lot happier with yourself if | | | | software--including your email server, contact |
| you discover a bad cable at the beginning of the | | | | management database, accounting program, and |
| troubleshooting process. It can be very frustrating | | | | any other application you need to do your daily |
| to spend a couple of hours fighting a network | | | | work. This is something you can have your |
| problem, only to learn that you could have fixed it | | | | network support technician prepare in advance, so |
| in five minutes by replacing your patch cable. | | | | you have it handy if you are ever in the middle of |
| Network cables are not the only inexpensive | | | | a crisis, and the technician is unavailable. |
| network components that occasionally fail. | | | | The purpose of documenting the configuration is |
| Expensive equipment is more reliable. Customers | | | | so you can review the settings if something goes |
| generally understand if their $10 patch cable has | | | | wrong. An incorrect setting is easy to fix, if you |
| to be replaced--but they are much more skeptical | | | | recognize the problem. A record of what the |
| if their $1400 router goes out. Manufacturers | | | | settings ought to be can get you working |
| know that customers expect expensive | | | | again--when you would otherwise be down, |
| equipment to work--all the time. They warranty | | | | waiting for help to arrive. |
| their equipment for just that reason. The last | | | | You can save yourself a lot of time and trouble |
| thing they want to do is irritate their customers, | | | | by recognizing that the simple things in your |
| or cut into their own profits by servicing a | | | | network are the most likely to fail, and preparing |
| warranty. So expensive equipment is generally | | | | for this possibility in advance. |
| thoroughly tested before it goes to market. Really | | | | |