Networking Problems, Setting IP Ranges
With the advent of a number of GUI configuration tools, the basic networking tools are being further abstracted from the everyday user. Here are a number of “back to basics” troubleshooting tips to help you identify where problems could be originating.
How Can You Quickly Isolate Networking Problems?
With the advent of a number of GUI configuration tools, the basic networking tools are being further abstracted from the everyday user. Here are a number of “back to basics” troubleshooting tips to help you identify where problems could be originating.
Make sure you’re running as the root user. Otherwise, very few of the following commands will work. More detailed information can be found in the Linux Network Administrator’s Guide (http://www.linuxdoc.org/LDP/nag2).
First, see what the primary networking card in the system is doing:
If your network card (eth0 means Ethernet port 0) is properly configured, you will see something like Figure One. If not, you’ll see an error, as in Figure Two. If you see this kind of error, it means that the hardware is not properly installed on the system. To correct this, you may need to use a tool that will load a software module to control the card (this will likely be specific to your distro). Worst-case scenario, you might have to recompile the kernel to support your specific network card. Recompiling is actually outside the scope of this column, but you can check out the HOWTO at http://www.linuxdoc.org/HOWTO/Kernel-HOWTO.html.
Figure One: Sample ifconfig Output |
