What are Common Network Problems

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It cannot be neglected that the cisco networks are considered one of the most stable and efficient in the world. With an amalgamation of best devices, protocols, techniques and rules, these networks tend to provide the best performance. However, there are certain common issues which have been faced in by people using these networks. Since there are a lot of components involved in the network, whole of the network could break down just due to a minor problem. There are a number of issues which account for these problems, which might include malfunctioning of devices, improper cabling, interference, congestion etc. However, the main task is to identify these problems so that they can be resolved. Following are some of the most common and significant problems in this regard.

Interference of Electrical Signals

Since there are a lot of cables which are used in the formation of a network, there are chances that the electrical signals transmitted through these cables interfere with signals from nearby devices. This problem generally comes into existence when the cables are not covered with insulating materials. The electrical signals interfere and lead to a number of issues. The signals might be lost or the data packets passing through the cable could be modified. In addition to this, the strength of signals also decreases leading to a decrease in the efficiency of the network. Most importantly, the problem of attenuation comes into being, which lower the power of the signals and prevent them from reaching the destination. Under such conditions, the best thing to do is to use insulated wires. You should also ensure that other devices are kept away from such cables to avoid interference.

Incorrect Configuration settings

Since there are a lot of devices which are used in the formation of a network, the settings on all of the devices have to be configured. However, there are some instances where these settings are changed due to programs which operate automatically. This change in configuration could lead to a number of problems. The network might stop working, the devices might stop communicating with each other or there might be loss of data. Under such conditions, it is important to reconfigure the settings on faulty devices.

Congestion

The problem of congestion is quite common when we talk about networks. Each network has been designed to enable a specific amount of data to flow through its path. However, there are some instances when the data flowing through a route is much more than the route could bear. This could be due to inappropriate routing. Consequently, the increased number of data packets over a route lead to congestion which hinders their movement. It is due to congestion that the data packets are lost during the route or reach their destination quite late. Hence, it is quite essential to configure the routing properties of devices properly so that this problem could be avoided.

Faulty Physical Connections

Whenever we come across an issue in a network, the first task to perform is to check whether all the physical connections and devices are in good condition and are working properly. Mostly, the problems encountered are eliminated quite easily if they are related to physical connections. This is because it is easy to identify these problems and resolve them. For example, the most common problems with physical connections include damaged wires, faulty routers, faulty switches, unplugged cables etc. These problems can be eliminated easily by replacing the devices. Once the problem is identified, it is also possible to repair the devices to eliminate the issue.

ACL issues

The basic purpose of ACL is to filter the data which is being transmitted through a device. However, one of the problems in this regard is that the entries in ACL get altered due to some reason. This would lead to the unusual flow of data over the network. The required data might be restricted and the unauthorized data packets might pass through the network. This might be the reason due to which data does not reach its required destination.

Loss in Connectivity

There are a number of reports which show that one of the most significant problems faced by people is the loss in the connectivity of the network. This means that the network stops functioning properly or even stops providing the connection. There are a number of reasons which could lead to this problem, which include faulty physical connections, interference, wrong configuration settings etc. In order to troubleshoot this problem, one first needs to identify the cause of it and then devise ways to eliminate it.

Application Conflicts

It is not untrue that there are a number of applications which operate in order to ensure the effective flow of a network. These applications are essential to perform their purposes, but might also conflict with the tasks of other applications. One of the most important problems is the unusual allocation of bandwidth. It is important that each of the applications is allocated the appropriate amount of bandwidth. However, some applications tend to take a greater amount of bandwidth, depriving other applications of their fair share. This leads to a lot of problems and issues with the operation of these applications.

Duplex Mismatch

If you comprehend that there are a lot of collisions on the interface and the transfer of data has become quite slow, then you must consider having a look at the issue of Duplex Mismatch. A Duplex is referred to as a point-to-point communication between two devices which can communicate with each other in either both directions or just one direction. You should make sure that the both of the devices operate on the same duplex so that the connection remains active. However, due to Duplex Mismatch, the connection is not established between the devices which lead to the restriction in flow of data.

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