Detecting Common Network Problems, Part II: Cable Problems
Cables are a vital part of any network. Cables are also prone to wear and tear, which can cause problems across the network. The obvious solution would be to make sure you install cables in places that do not get a lot of foot traffic, or places hidden from curious hands. The fact is, somewhere on the network, there are probably at least a few cables exposed to possible damage.
Who hasn’t tripped over a lamp cord or phone cord? Network devices can also fall prey to the occasional accidental unplugged connection. Whether it is cleaning personnel, or an employee simply walking over the cord, an unplugged cord can immediately alter a network. A cord that is frequently unplugged and plugged, or one that is constantly walked on, can become damaged and in need of replacing.
Cables are sometimes simply not plugged into the correct connector, or they are not correctly “snapped” into place.
For wireless networks the air becomes your cable. Issues causing “cable trouble” for WiFi networks can be insufficient coverage, unplugged antennas, other WLANs that have similar coverage as your network, or other electromagnetic fields like railway trains that interfere with transmissions. All these problems will show similar results as the old-fashioned copper cable problems mentioned above.