FAQ - Building Network

If your network is not working, you can check the following points yourself:

1. Number of affected computers

If only one computer/connection is affected, you can check the following points:

• Check whether the computer is connected and the port is active.
• Check the link.
• Check the following configurations on the computer:            
  • IP address and associated values or drivers
  • DNS
  • Domain
  • Speed + duplex settings matching the switch (usually automatic setting)
  • Ping to itself (localhost)
  • Ping to its own network
  • Ping to the outside world

2. Visual cable inspection (especially optical fibers)

When visually inspecting the cables, pay attention to the following points:

• Are the cables kinked?
• Have all bending radii been observed?
• Are the connectors clean?
• Have the fibers been mixed up?

3. Network components between computer and data outlet?

Check the following points on the network components:

• Switch
  • Is there power to the switch?
  • Is the uplink active?
  • Is the link from the computer active?
• Media converter
  • Is there power to the media converter?
  • Are the link and activity present (both ports)?
  • Is the TP port straight/crossover?
  • Are all cables connected correctly (e.g., wrong port)?
• Transceiver
  • Is there a link?
  • Are all cables connected correctly (e.g., wrong port)?

You can perform the following steps yourself:

Visual inspection

• Check the cables
• Check the link on the media converter
• Check the link on the switch/router

If you encounter problems, you can take the following steps, depending on the administration:

Switches, connections, and components managed by the IT Center:

• Email or call the IT Center

Your own switch, connections, and components:

• Switch:
  • View/edit the configuration (if manageable)
  • Reconnect
  • Reset
• Connections (cables) and components
  • Cable measurements
  • Replace

If your network is running slowly, you can check the following points on your own:

Computer

• Check the speed setting
• Check the duplex setting
• Check the driver
• Check for collisions
• Check or exchange the cable 
• Check or exchange the network component
• Check the current network load

The IT Center can help you with the following points:

• Exchange or replacement of components
• Configuration of network components (switches, routers etc.)
• Cable measurements
  • Attenuation
  • Connection lenght (limit values exceeded?)
  • Ping capability with the network

If you have problems with uplink and network components, the IT Center can help you as follows:

• Inspection by our staff
• Cable testing and replacement
• Central network components and their configuration
• Consultation on network structure to prevent future problems