When we have a slow Internet connection or we simply cannot connect through our computer, we are surely having a problem that is often not easy to detect.
In order to perform an analysis of the network on which that computer is not able to access the Internet or perhaps cannot share a document with another node of the same network, it is necessary to use the tool «Network diagnostics » With which we can identify the problem and provide the corresponding solution.
In this article we will show you what a network diagnosis means and what are the necessary steps you must take to obtain a reliable result. In addition, we will present you with the best tools so you can perform an analysis effectively.
Index:
What is a network diagnosis and what is it for in computing ?
A network diagnosis is the procedure we perform to determine and inspect everything that is happening within our network.
To this end, different tools are applied that will allow us to detect possible errors or errors in the records, also eliminate them and correct the deviations.
Thanks to a network diagnosis we can increase the speed of Internet connection , we can verify how many IP addresses connect to our network, we can also control because some node cannot connect easily and Above all things with a network diagnosis we can know what level of security it has.
How does a network analysis work? Phases of the process
To perform a network analysis we need to know the structure, design and degree of implementation that it has.
For this we have to collect data and concepts that exist in the network , when it is a small network this step can be done quickly but when we find networks of a good number of nodes it is advisable to do it very cautiously at this point.
The first thing we will do is meet the users and other people involved in the network. Later we will dedicate ourselves to the physical structure with its theoretical and real hardware diagram.
We will focus on layer 1, 2 and 3 of the 7-layer network model .
In order to achieve a good result at this stage we will make an inventory of all the wiring, connectors, availability of nearby electricity, we will also determine the amount of fiber optic or ADSL, and we will analyze the laying of the other cables that work for the Internet connection.
Knowing the entry points and cables, we will go to the information traffic, studying the different protocols that exist in the network and thus be able to define the quality of the service they are providing.
We will rely primarily on the reliability, delay and fluctuation that exist with bandwidth.
Once all this information is known, we will have to confirm and identify the security of the network with respect to Internet browsing through firewalls and other security devices in both hardware and software.
Once we have all this detailed, we can write it in a report to determine all the differences that exist from different nodes, through computer security and all the registers and protocols that work in each unit connected to the network and other components.
Finally we analyze the deviations and propose the solutions to them.
Steps to perform a network diagnosis and identify all the problems of connection
Based a little on the previous point, then we will tell you the steps that we will have to perform, especially for those domestic networks in which we can quickly find the phases of survey, analysis, problem detection and correction of them .
When we know that something is wrong with our network, the first thing we will have to do is focus directly on our device.
It is recommended to turn it off or restart it and check if the problem still exists.
If this is not solved we will have to verify the hardware part of our network, we will analyze the cable connections between our router and the devices, if we have a LAN, we will verify the state of the connectors as well as the state in general of all external components.
If the problem persists we will have to verify our operating system, for example, if we work with Windows we will have to follow these steps:
- We go to «Home»
- We go to «Settings»
- Select « Network and Internet »
- And we look for the option « Network troubleshooter »
- For this Windows will make a diagnosis of our network and we will propose solutions.
If there are no solutions, we will have to directly check our IP and DNS service.
In order to do this we will have to follow the following instructions:
- We are going to trustedHome started
- We select againConfiguration ahead
- We look for « Network and Internet »
- And we look for the option to click « See the Network properties »
- We will verify the version address IPv4 controlling that it is “192.168.1.x” , where the “x” represents the node number in the network. If we find a number that does not start with the first three, surely the router is not designating us a correct IP address.
To obtain an IP address automatically, we will do this guide:
- We go to “Home”
- Select “Settings”
- Choose «Properties of the network adapter »
- Then we select « Internet Protocol version 4 (TCP / IP) »
We can also perform through “cmd” . Going to accounted for initially .
For this we will write the following commands:
- ipconfig / release
- ipconfig / renew
Having obtained a different IP number we will have to verify the problem through Google’s DNS, which are free and accessible to everyone.
- We will also type the command: «ping 8.8.8.8»
With this we will get Google to inform us if the data packets arrived correctly and how long it took to do so.
List of the best tools to perform an effective network analysis
In order to perform a correct analysis of our networks there are tools that will help us with this task and therefore will save us time.
Next, we will show you the best five tools we can find today:
Paessler – The Network Monitoring Company
It is a tool that has a free version for 30 days and has sensors for the correct operation of the applications and also of the operating system, warning us in real time when something is failing.
Analyzes the hardware and all the detection of data packets that can cause internal conflicts, giving us the possibility to eliminate them manually.
Through this app we can reduce errors and delete them with a very simple panel to use.
Download Paessler Windows
Network Analyzer
Application is available for operating systems with Android or iOS. It presents the ease of having a very useful tool on our mobile device with which we can scan the LAN and obtain reports on possible errors.
In addition, it has a query for DNS and can scan external ports. Its download is completely free and a Premium version is available.
Network Scanner
It is another app, available for Android phones, we can also install it on our computers with Windows operating system. The program allows you to verify the IP addresses, as well as the MAC filters that are active to control the correct functioning of the filters that we have applied.
It has a very simple configuration, which is flexible to any need we have and we can specify a range of 8 numbers for ports, make a scanner for a certain port giving us an accurate report of the errors that exist.
Network Bandwidth Analyzer Pack – Solar Winds
With this application we can obtain a complete monitoring of the analysis of the bandwidth that we have in the network, we will also be able to verify the performance of the different components that exist in each of the nodes of the network.
Thanks to this tool we will have a very complete visual analysis and its simple control panel enables us to have apps that with other programs we might not be able to obtain.
Submit a free version for the first 30 days.
Download Solar Winds Windows
CPU-Z h3>
This app specially designed for internal components can perform a scan of our system or networks to analyze the configuration they have through the tree that produces each node.
It also informs us how long the processor works or finds a response to the functions we request. We will obtain a detailed analysis of the CPU performance, as well as each of the internal components of our computer.
It is a completely free software to download it.