Damaged Network Cables: Why Layer 1 Shortcuts Cost You Performance and Uptime

I have spent plenty of time troubleshooting networks, and one thing I continue to see is damaged network cabling that somehow finds its way into production environments. I am talking about cables with broken RJ45 connector tabs, split or torn outer jackets, and even cables that someone has cut and spliced back together with a generous helping of electrical tape. In my Tony's 2 Bits video series, I discuss why these shortcuts deserve more attention. It is easy to blame a switch, server, or application when something goes wrong, but sometimes the problem is sitting right in front of us: the physical cable connecting everything together.

Wireshark vs. Firebug vs. Fiddler: Comparing Debugging Tools for Platform, Cost, and Features

 Need to find a debugging program that meets your needs? There are plenty of options out there, so you need to know which one will give you what you're looking for. Wireshark, Firebug and Fiddler are all good options, so let's take a look and see how they compare.

Know your network, know your tool

 Things are tough when you need to troubleshoot your tool.

I was getting ready to setup my Profishark IOTA inline capture device (https://www.profitap.com/iota/) on a link. This shouldn’t cause an issue since I’ve done it countless times. Famous last words always start with ‘should’.

I powered the unit up, logged into it and connected it inline and no packets were traversing the unit. I double checked and everything was connected properly. Hmmmm.

I removed the IOTA and checked the 2 switch ports and noticed that even though they were 1 Gig ports, the speed reported was 100 Mbps. First I saw it in my Optiview XG switch report, then I confirmed it by manually checking both ports.

I’ve seen cabling issues (length termination, noise. etc) and interfaces do this in the past, so I tried changing the IOTA ethernet port to 100 Mbps and everything worked.  

Good to know, and the next thing I did was equally as important… I put a posit note on the IOTA stating that the Ethernet port was manually configured for 100 Mb for future reference.

WIRESHARK CLASS - Lecture 3 , 2, 1

 

Thanks for the the positive feedback and comments people sent about the first Wireshark class post...

Some long time Wireshark users commented that it was a good refresher and they actually learned a new thing or two, while others new to Wireshark enjoyed the info and pace.

A Few of My Favorite Things (Paul Smith)

 

One of my favorite things, particularly in this pandemic-era of working from home, has to be the Internet. It is also one of my least favorite things. The reason it made both of my lists is not complicated, and perhaps best explained by this metaphor – the Internet is like the most extensive library on the planet, containing every document, book, work of art, song, movie, TV show, play – everything ever published – uncurated and piled in a giant heap in the middle of the floor. The Internet presents us with a wealth of information, but is also fuels anxiety, narcissism, and hateful, anonymous trolling. As a favorite ... cancelled.

The Cleanup. Dot the I's and cross the T's

 As much as I enjoy the instant satisfaction with a physical cleanup, I actually enjoy documentation.  It's a great way to decompress and review the equipment/location I just worked on.  

I can't tell you how many times I spot issues or recommend changes as I document.  the odd time I can find solutions to existing problems.  I always make it a point to document whatever i;m working on so I have a point of reference and for my clients.  Just in case I'm not around and someone else needs to figure something out.

Documentation doesn't have to be anything fancy with multi-layer Visio drawings.  Even a simple Powerpoint with some squares and lines with notes is good enough.

Heres a photo of my desk with my 3 monitors: so I can have all my information up in front of me.

FREE WIRESHARK CLASS - Lecture 2 - Preferences and Setup

When I put together this Wireshark class, I wanted to make sure people understood that getting Wireshark set up properly is half the battle. In this lecture, I walk through the preferences and initial configuration I use every day. Wireshark works great out of the box, but once you tweak a few settings, it becomes a lot more comfortable and way more efficient for real troubleshooting.

Free Wireshark class video #1 - Getting started

 This is one of a 5 part series.. this is an actual class that I put together 2 years ago and thought I would put it out there.

Please DO NOT BOTHER WITH ANY OF THE LABS OR EXERCISES as I will not be providing any of the associated files.