Desktop Connectivity Issues

Name: Desktop Connectivity Issues
Author: Matthew Mercaldi

Learn about networking on a desktop level

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Course: On-Demand

Hello, My name is Matt McCauley and in these lessons you will learn about low speed, correct IP addresses and intermittent connectivity. So what do I mean by low speeds? Low speeds, I'm talking about your computer is running slow, on a networking level. Why am I so slow? Well, one of the more common issues I've found with slow speeds that are computer specific, you are on an out of date browser. You can run a speed test. Now I'm going to be showing you an example of a speed test later on, but you can run a speed test and see what you're getting. Now you could be on a 100 meg line here, but the speed test might be showing that you're only getting five, and that could mean other issues. Maybe it's your NET, maybe it's a switch you're plugged into, maybe it's your cable. It could be a lot of different things. And lack of system resources. So, this is also a big thing. You have your CPU, you have your memory, you have your disk usage percentage. All of these things could actually affect your network speed. They could be the reason why you're browsing so slow, it could be the reason why your web applications aren't working correctly. All this we'll be going over in a lab. In this example for low speed, I'll be going over a commonly used website SpeedOf.Me. Go to your site like this, here you can start the test. Now these sites normally have tons of servers associated with them, so it's going to try and reach out to one closest to you. I'm getting 120 over 130. Should be 100 over 100. Now some cases I've seen these tests also give a lot lower output, where instead of 100, I'm getting 60 for my download or 50 for my upload. Now, if that's the case, you know, I would test out a couple different machines and a couple different sites, because sometimes the computer resources could be affecting this. So, a good example is your task manager. Now, internal bandwidth could be affecting it. You know, someone's streaming something, on this computer, processes running, so you could be getting that. But more than likely, if the CPU usage is very high, memory usage is very high, if the disk usage is very high, well, that could actually affect the resourcing power of this computer, and that could actually screw things up on your data. So, you could be getting false outputs. I always recommend doing this on multiple different computers and stay away from phones. Their processing power's not that strong, the NETs are not that strong in them. You're of off wireless. Again, I would also stay away from wireless 'cause access points is another hurdle to go over. Right? So anything over the air to stay away from, should be plugged directly into the switch because that's where you're gonna get your most throughput from. And also, it could also be your network interface card. So, by network interface card, I mean driver. So right here, I'm using VMware, right? So there's gone based on a host, I've gone based on VMware's own internal stuff on here. And nowadays, with Windows 10, Windows 11, you should be fine on your drivers. However, especially with VMware, or if you're using a specialized card here, with specialized feature on there, you're gonna want to download the actual driver from the vendor, right. I know VMware has the E1000 driver that comes built in with Windows Updates but I know they have a couple other virtual mix that you actually utilize VMware tools on it. So now, if your drivers out of date or if there's an error on there, right, if this is, now say this is working properly, this could be giving an error. Now, what could be happening, is you can still have internet, you can still browse around, you can still get network connectivity but if it's not working properly, you're not gonna get the most throughput on there. So you're gonna get, so your data's gonna be bad. Any one of these things could actually cause bad speed. That's it for this lesson. Thank you for listening.

Intermediate Provider : Matthew Mercaldi 3 Lessons · 14m in Arabic, German, English, Spanish, French, Portuguese, Chinese

Course Description

In this course, you will learn about common networking issues that can happen with wired desktops. You will learn about IP subnetting and how it can impact connectivity with other devices. Because of subnetting, we will be discussing routing as well—you will also learn what causes intermittent connectivity, whether it’s a physical problem or a logical one.

We’ll go on to identify and test for other connectivity problems. You’ll learn how to utilize speed tests to determine when if network is running slowly, along with what circumstances might be causing it. We will also discuss what can cause intermittent network connectivity and how to resolve it. All these will increase your confidence in identifying any issues your desktop might have.

What You'll Learn

Determine internet speeds and identify when a network is running slowly using speed tests
Identify the types of intermittent connectivity and what causes them
Address speed issues on a desktop PC and the circumstances that might cause them
Diagnose IP subnetting and how it impacts connectivity with other devices
Distinguish whether a connectivity problem is physical or logical
Identify and test for other connectivity problems on wired desktops

Key Takeaways

Common networking issues with wired desktops can stem from either physical or logical problems.
IP subnetting affects connectivity with other devices, which makes routing relevant to troubleshooting.
Speed tests help determine when a network is running slowly and what circumstances might be causing it.
Intermittent network connectivity has identifiable causes that can be resolved.
Learning to identify desktop connectivity issues increases confidence in diagnosing problems.

Frequently Asked Questions

What does this course cover?

The course covers common networking issues with wired desktops, including IP subnetting and how it impacts connectivity, routing, what causes intermittent connectivity (physical or logical), how to identify and test for connectivity problems, and using speed tests to determine when a network is running slowly.

What will I be able to do after taking this course?

You will be able to determine internet speeds, identify types of intermittent connectivity, and address speed issues on a desktop PC.

What topics are taught in the lessons?

The course includes lessons on Low Speed, Incorrect IP Address, and Intermittent Connectivity.

What skills does this course help build?

It builds skills in Computer Networks, Java Desktop Network Components, Network Connections, Network Troubleshooting, Networking Basics, and Networking Concepts Certification.

How does this course help with troubleshooting confidence?

By teaching you to identify and test for connectivity problems and distinguish physical from logical issues, the course increases your confidence in identifying any issues your desktop might have.