Lesson

4 Diagnosing Physical Issues

Welcome to your fourth lesson!

What I Need to Know

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To start with, let us try to find out the learning competencies in which you
are going to master at the end of this lesson.

SKILLS AND COMPETENCIES/OBJECTIVES:

At the end of this lesson you are expected to:

 identify approaches in isolating hardware problem;

 use diagnostic tools; and
 isolate hardware fault.

What I Know

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Before you start the lesson on diagnosing physical issues, you need
to answer the following activity below. You will be challenged to dig
deeper into your prior knowledge and previous experiences. This
phase will guide you in assessing yourself on how much you have
known diagnosing physical issues.

ACTIVITY 1: Multiple Choice

Part I.
Direction: Read and answer the items given. Choose your answer from the choices
below. Write your answer in your activity notebook.
 Digital Analog Power Supply
Cable Tester
Multimeter Multimeter Tester

Loopback Plug Toner Probe TDR OTDR

1. Equivalent device to TDR used for optical fiber.

2. Measures the speed and condition of the coaxial cable.
3. Tests the basic functionality of computer, hub, switch and router ports.
4. Checks shorts and faults of a wiring such as wires connected to a wrong pin.
5. Traces cables end-to-end.
6. Checks computer power supply.
7. Tests integrity of circuits and electrical quality.

Part II.
Direction: Identify the network fault being resolved. Choose the letter of your choice.
Write your answer in your activity notebook.

A B

C D

1. Check cable connectivity

2. Check router configuration
3. Verify traffic if there is a capacity overload.
4. Check port for faults.

Part III.
Direction: Identify the techniques or strategies used to solve hardware issues.
Choose the letter of your choice.

A B C
1. James tries to isolate the problem by taking one solution at a time. If the previous
tried solution doesn’t work, he work on the next possible solution. What techniques
or strategy James used to resolve the problem?
2. Maria bought a new LAN cable for their home network. She suspected that twisted
cable might be the cause why her PC cannot connect to a router. She saw her
younger sibling playing with it the other day. What techniques or strategy Maria was
trying to use to resolve her problem?
3. Stephen was becoming impatient of his mother nagging about him being forgetful of
his tasks. To resolve this issue, he made a “things-to-do” so he will not forget things
he must do. He also uses this type of documentation in resolving issues with the
network. What techniques or strategy James used to resolve his issue?
4. The National Power Corporation announces frequent black-outs due to the ongoing
preventive maintenance. Jose was not so careful. When the electricity was back, he
observed he cannot connect to the WiFi anymore. What technique or strategy would
you recommend to Jose?

What’s In

__________________________________________________________________________________

You are done with Lesson 3 where you learned about diagnostic tool -
software. So as a sort of review, kindly carry out the activity
below.

ACTIVITY 2: Favorite Diagnostic Software

Direction: Write your favorite diagnostic software and explain why you like it. Give at
least three reason why you like it. Write your answer in a separate sheet.

My favorite diagnostic software is I like it because:

What’s New

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Before you start the lesson on diagnosing physical issue, you need to do
the activity below.
 ACTIVITY 3: BIG-word

Direction: Think of a keyword you can associate when you saw the phrase below. Write your
answer your activity notebook.
Diagnose Physical Issue

The keyword I can associate this phrase

is:
 What is it

How do we approach a network physical issue? What are the tools we can use to
diagnose physical network faults?

The following are the techniques and strategies that you may perform when you
are trying to solve hardware issues:

A. Trial and Error

Try isolating the problem to a specific component by trial-and-error. Trial and

error basically mean trying and trying again until you find what the problem is. In this
technique, it is unavoidable to make mistakes; hence, the "error" in trial and error.

To perform this in hardware issues, you can try swap compatible components
with each other. Or try different peripherals. Make one change at a time, but make sure
to be careful since this can be harmful if you are recklessly removing components.

B. Check cable issues

More than 70% of all computer problems are due to cabling and connections.
Make sure that all cables are connected properly.

Make sure that all the necessary wires from the power supply give electricity to
the different computer components. Again, always consult the manual since this can
differ depending on the manufacturer.

C. Document Computer and Network Issues

To avoid the same issues in the future, always document when you are
troubleshooting. Components that you have repaired several times may likely be more
prone to issues and problems.

That is why you should address this with the proper protocols so that in the
future, you could keep track of which hardware are very old or will need replacement
soon.

Troubleshooting Physical Connectivity Issues

The list of faults that come under this category are:

 improper connection of cables;

 router, switch or hub port is faulty or down;
 traffic overload on the link or particular interface; and
 configuration issue at layer-1.
Let us tackle about how to resolve or at least minimize these issues.

 Checking Cable connectivity Issue

The cables are used for connections, based on the type of connectivity.
Like, for connectivity between a router and a computer the crossover pair of the
cable is used. Thus, make sure that the suggested and suitable cable is used to
make a physical connection between any two devices.

If connections are found ok, then maybe the cable is faulty, so check the
connectivity by replacing the existing cable with a newer one. Still, if the problem
persists, then check the port or interface on which the link is terminated. There is
a possibility for the port to be faulty.

 Port Faulty Scenario

Check that the port or interface on which the link is established is not shut
down. Verify the duplex mode and speed as well. If the port is up and still the
problem persists, then there are indicator lights that are present on each of the
device to show the running status of the port.

From the indicator lights, check if the port is physically radiating or down. If
the port is physically malfunctioning, then it will appear by light status. In this
situation, configure the link on some other free port or interface.

 Traffic overload

If there is more traffic than the carrying capacity at a link or interface then
at some point it will start behaving abnormally. Thus, verify these criteria to
ensure smooth running.

 Configuration Issue

Check the router configuration on the interface by show IP interface and

show running-config commands.

Identifying Hardware Tools

Diagnostic tools are used to test and diagnose equipment. Diagnostic tools
include the following:

 Multimeter

A device that measures AC/DC voltage, electric current, and other cable
and electrical characteristics. It tests the integrity of circuits and the quality of
electricity in computer components.
 Source: https://upload.wikimedia.
Source: https://ptgmedia.pear org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/d/db/YX
soncmg.com/images/chap2_978158713308 360TRF%28Sanwa%29.JPG/1200px-
4/elementLinks/aa0203.jpg YX360TRF%28Sanwa%29.JPG
Figure 2 Digital Multimeter Figure 1 Analog Multimeter

 Power Supply Tester

A device that checks whether the computer power supply is working
properly. A simple power supply tester might just have indicator lights, while
more advanced versions show the amount of voltage and amperage.

Source: http://images.octoder.com/product/or_400103-
00100_c7b.jpg

Figure 3 Power Supply Tester

 Cable Tester
A device that checks for wiring shorts or faults, such as wires connected to
the wrong pin.
 Loopback Plug
A device that connects to a computer, hub, switch, or router port and tests
the basic functionality of these ports. In a loopback test, a signal is transmitted
through a circuit and then returned to the sending device to test the integrity of
the data transmission. The adapter is specific to the port that you want to test.


Toner

Source: https://www.certblaster.com/wp-content/ uploads/2016/10/loopback-plug.png

Figure 5 Loopback plug for RJ45 Ports

Probe
This device is also called tone generator is a two-part tool – a tone generator and
a probe. It is a simple copper cable tester that is simple to use and can be used
to trace cables and follow them end-to-end. One device is useless without the
other. The toner part is connected to a cable at one end using specific adapters,
such as an RJ-45, coaxial, or metal clips. The toner generates a tone that travels
the length of the cable. The probe part traces the cable. When the probe is in
near proximity to the cable to which the toner is attached, the tone can be heard
through a speaker in the probe.

Source: https://www.certblaster.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/04/Toner-probe.png

Figure 1 Toner Probe or Toner Generator

 Time-Domain Reflectometer (TDR)

It is a tool that finds and describes faults in metallic cables like twisted wire
pairs and coaxial cables. It transmits a short rise time pulse along the conductor,
and if it turns out to be of a uniform impedance and properly terminated, the
entire transmitted pulse is absorbed in the far-end termination; no signal is
reflected back to the TDR. Any impedance interruptions will cause some of the
incident signal to be sent back toward the source, letting you know all is not well.

You can use a TDR to verify these things:

- Speed and condition of the cable
- Measure how long it takes to send a signal down a cable and how
long it takes to come back.
- Cable impedance characteristics
- Splice and connector locations and their associated loss amounts
- Estimated cable lengths

Figure 2 Time-Domain Reflectometer

Source: https://www.mohr-engineering.com/img/CT100_front_640x362.png

 Time-Domain Reflectometer (OTDR). The equivalent device of TDR for optical

fiber.

Figure 3 Optical Time-Domain Reflectometer

Source: https://www.multicominc.com/wp-content/uploads/MUL-OTDR-1000-OTDR_web-1.jpg
  Although an external hard drive enclosure is not a diagnostic tool, it is often
used when diagnosing and repairing computers. The customer hard drive is
placed into the external enclosure for inspection, diagnosis, and repair using a
known-working computer. Backups can also be recorded to a drive in an external
enclosure to prevent data corruption during a computer repair.

What’s More

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The succeeding activity is for your independent practice to solidify your

understanding and skills of the topic.

ACTIVITY 4: Call-it-art

Direction: Identify the following diagnostic tool in Column A by drawing or pasting

image in Column B. The first item is a sample answer. Write your output in a separate
sheet.

Diagnostic Tool Image

TDR

Diagnostic Tool Image

Analog multimeter

loopback plug

cable tester
 power supply tester

What I Have Learned

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What you just did to the previous activity was neat. The next activity is
designed to process what you have learned from the lesson. You can do it.

ACTIVITY 5 Graphic Organizer

Direction: Write the steps on how to isolate physical network issues. Include the
precautionary measures needed to carry out each step. Write your output
in a separate sheet.

What I Can Do

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What you just did to the previous activity was great enough. Keep up the
good work. The following task will showcase your skills and knowledge
gained and applied in real-life concerns and situations.
ACTIVITY 6: Make your own Ethernet Loopback connector

Direction: Perform the task below and identify the response made by the computer.
Write the response on the space provided.

1. Cut 4 or 5 inches of the end off of a network cable, keeping the connector intact.
2. Cut away two inches of the main sheath covering the eight wires. (Be careful not to
cut the wires inside.)
3. Cut the sheath on Orange-White and Green-White and twist them together. Tape
this pair. (Soldering is recommended)
4. Cut the sheath on Green and Orange and twist them together. Tape this pair as
well. (Soldering is recommended)
5. Cut the sheath on Blue and Brown-White and twist them together. Tape this pair as
well. (Soldering is recommended)
6. Cut the sheath on Blue-White and Brown and twist them together. Tape this pair as
well. (Soldering is recommended)
7. Tape the end down to make it look presentable.
8. Plug your new RJ-45 loopback into your Network Card.

Source 6 https://1.bp.blogspot.com/_VLNMO9YJ0fs/TICcTBhKWeI/AAAAAAAAAFM/U6pqacfmzpw/s320/tst.JPG

Assessment

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Awesome! You made it to “Assessment” part. A task will be given to you to

evaluate your level of mastery in achieving the learning competency. Just
be patient in answering it. Believe in yourself.
ACTIVITY 8: Multiple Choice

Part I.
Direction: Read and answer the items given. Choose your answer from the given
words below. Write your answer in your activity notebook.
Power Supply
Multimeter Cable Tester Loopback Plug
Tester

Toner Probe TDR OTDR

1. Equivalent device to TDR used for optical fiber.

2. Measures the speed and condition of the coaxial cable.
3. Tests the basic functionality of computer, hub, switch and router ports.
4. Checks shorts and faults of a wiring such as wires connected to a wrong pin.
5. Traces cables end-to-end.
6. Checks computer power supply.
7. Tests integrity of circuits and electrical quality.

Part II.
Direction: Identify the network fault being resolved. Choose the letter of your choice.
Write your answer in your activity notebook.

A B

C D

1. Check cable connectivity

2. Check router configuration
3. Verify traffic if there is a capacity overload.
4. Check port for faults.

Part III.
Direction: Identify the techniques or strategies used to solve hardware issues.
Choose the letter of your choice.

A B C
1. James tries to isolate the problem by taking one solution at a time. If the previous
tried solution does not work, he works on the next possible solution. What
techniques or strategy James used to resolve the problem?
2. Maria bought a new LAN cable for their home network. She suspected that
twisted cable might be the cause why her PC cannot connect to a router. She
saw her younger sibling playing with it the other day. What techniques or strategy
Maria was trying to use to resolve her problem?
3. Stephen was becoming impatient of his mother nagging about him being forgetful
of his tasks. To resolve this issue, he made a “things-to-do” so he will not forget
things he must do. He also uses this type of documentation in resolving issues
with the network. What techniques or strategy James used to resolve his issue?
4. The National Power Corporation announces frequent black-outs due to the
ongoing preventive maintenance. Jose was not so careful. When the electricity
was back, he observed he cannot connect to the WiFi anymore. What technique
or strategy would you recommend to Jose?
 Additional Activities

_________________________________________________________________________________

ACTIVITY 7: Loopback for Home Use

Direction: Try the loopback connector you made in your home network, in an internet
café or school’s computer laboratory. Follow the instruction set in the
graphic organizer below.

Source 7 https://www.networxproducts.com/content/images/thumbs/0015922_rj45-loopback-tester.jpeg

Your performance will be assessed according to this rubric:

CRITERIA Excellent Good Fair Poor

4 3 2 1
Adherence to the proper Windows Server Backup
(50%)
- Followed the steps
Workmanship (20%)
- organized materials and tools while
 accomplishing the task and exhibited
effective time management
Quality of work (30%)
- presented the final output neatly.

Assessment

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POST-TEST

Direction: Read each question in the left-hand column of the chart. Mark a check
opposite each question to indicate your answer.

I can… YES NO
- determine steps in finding faults in networks

- assess problems reported

- perform network fault diagnosis

- identify common network problems

- create a plan in troubleshooting networks

- appreciate the importance of the approach used

diagnosing and troubleshooting network

- compare diagnostic softwares

- value the importance of diagnostic software

- identify approaches in isolating hardware problem

- use diagnostic tools

- isolate hardware fault