Networking / Beginners

Troubleshooting Wireless Issues

Because wireless signals travel through the atmosphere, they are subjected to all sorts of elements that can block wireless signals. This includes storms, the number of walls between the sending and receiving devices, ceilings, mirrors, and so on. Just how weakened the signal becomes depends on the building material used, RF interference, the power of the wireless signal, and how far the signal must travel. Every element that a wireless signal must pass through or around weakens the signal, reducing the distance it can travel.

Environmental factors are not the only things to consider when working with wireless networks. This section reviews two key areas to focus on when troubleshooting wireless networks: wireless signals and wireless configurations.

NOTE: Signal Strength Wireless signals degrade depending on the construction material used. Signals passing through concrete and steel are particularly weakened.

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In this tutorial:

  1. Troubleshooting Procedures
  2. The Art of Troubleshooting
  3. Troubleshooting Servers and Workstations
  4. General Troubleshooting Considerations
  5. Troubleshooting Methods and Procedures
  6. Step 1: Information Gathering-Identify Symptoms and Problems
  7. Information from the Computer
  8. Information from the User
  9. Step 2: Identify the Affected Areas of the Network
  10. Step 3: Determine if Anything Has Changed
  11. Changes to the Network
  12. Changes to the Server
  13. Changes to the Workstation
  14. Step 4: Establish the Most Probable Cause
  15. Step 5: Determine if Escalation Is Necessary
  16. Step 6: Create an Action Plan and Solution Identifying Potential Effects
  17. Step 7: Implement and Test the Solution
  18. Step 8: Identify the Results and Effects of the Solution
  19. Step 9: Document the Solution and the Entire Process
  20. Troubleshooting the Network
  21. Where the Cable Is Used
  22. Crosstalk
  23. Open Impedance Mismatch (Echo)
  24. Managing Collisions
  25. Troubleshooting Infrastructure Hardware
  26. Configuring and Troubleshooting Client Connectivity
  27. Troubleshooting Incorrect VLANs
  28. Identifying Issues That Might Need Escalation
  29. Troubleshooting Wireless Issues
  30. Troubleshooting Wireless Signals
  31. Troubleshooting Wireless Configurations