8.

11 Troubleshoot WLAN Issues

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Troubleshoot WLAN Issues
Troubleshooting Approaches
Network problems can be simple or complex, and can result from a combination of
hardware, software, and connectivity issues.
• Technicians must be able to analyze the problem and determine the cause of the error before they
can resolve the network issue.
• This process is called troubleshooting.

Troubleshooting any sort of network problem should follow a systematic approach.

A common and efficient troubleshooting methodology is based on the scientific method

and can be broken into the six main steps shown in the table on the next slide.

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Troubleshoot WLAN Issues
Troubleshooting Approaches (Cont.)
Step Title Description

The first step in the troubleshooting process is to identify the problem. While tools
1 Identify the Problem
can be used in this step, a conversation with the user is often very helpful.

After you have talked to the user and identified the problem, you can try and establish
Establish a Theory of Probable
2 a theory of probable causes. This step often yields more than a few probable causes
Causes
to the problem.

Based on the probable causes, test your theories to determine which one is the
cause of the problem. A technician will often apply a quick procedure to test and see
3 Test the Theory to Determine Cause
if it solves the problem. If a quick procedure does not correct the problem, you might
need to research the problem further to establish the exact cause.

Establish a Plan of Action to Resolve

After you have determined the exact cause of the problem, establish a plan of action
4 the Problem and Implement the
to resolve the problem and implement the solution.
Solution

Verify Full System Functionality and After you have corrected the problem, verify full functionality and, if applicable,
5
Implement Preventive Measures implement preventive measures.

Document Findings, Actions, and In the final step of the troubleshooting process, document your findings, actions, and
6
Outcomes outcomes. This is very important for future reference.

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Troubleshoot WLAN Issues
Wireless Client Not Connecting
If there is no connectivity, check the following:
• Confirm the network configuration on the PC using the ipconfig command.
• Confirm that the device can connect to the wired network. Ping a known IP address.
• If needed, reload drivers as appropriate for the client or try a different wireless NIC.
• If the wireless NIC of the client is working, check the security mode and encryption settings on the
client.

If the PC is operational but the wireless connection is performing poorly, check the
following:
• Is the PC out of the planned coverage area (BSA)?
• Check the channel settings on the wireless client.
• Check for interference with the 2.4 GHz band.

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Troubleshoot WLAN Issues
Wireless Client Not Connecting (Cont.)
Next, ensure that all the devices are actually in place.
• Consider a possible physical security issue.
• Is there power to all devices and are they powered on?

Finally, inspect links between cabled devices looking for bad connectors or damaged or
missing cables.
• If the physical plant is in place, verify the wired LAN by pinging devices, including the AP.
• If connectivity still fails at this point, perhaps something is wrong with the AP or its configuration.
• When the user PC is eliminated as the source of the problem, and the physical status of devices is
confirmed, begin investigating the performance of the AP.
• Check the power status of the AP.

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Troubleshoot WLAN Issues
Troubleshooting When the Network Is Slow
To optimize and increase the bandwidth of 802.11 dual-band routers and APs, either:
• Upgrade your wireless clients - Older 802.11b, 802.11g, and even 802.11n devices can slow the
entire WLAN. For the best performance, all wireless devices should support the same highest
acceptable standard.
• Split the traffic - The easiest way to improve wireless performance is to split the wireless traffic
between the 802.11n 2.4 GHz band and the 5 GHz band. Therefore, 802.11n (or better) can use
the two bands as two separate wireless networks to help manage the traffic.

There are several reasons for using a split-the-traffic approach:

• The 2.4 GHz band may be suitable for basic Internet traffic that is not time-sensitive.
• The bandwidth may still be shared with other nearby WLANs.
• The 5 GHz band is much less crowded than the 2.4 GHz band; ideal for streaming multimedia.
• The 5 GHz band has more channels; therefore, the channel chosen is likely interference-free.

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Troubleshoot WLAN Issues
Troubleshooting When the Network Is Slow (Cont.)
By default, dual-band routers and APs use the same network name on both the 2.4 GHz
band and the 5 GHz band.
• It may be useful to segment the traffic.
• The simplest way to segment traffic is to rename one of the wireless networks.

To improve the range of a wireless network, ensure the wireless router or AP location is
free of obstructions, such as furniture, fixtures, and tall appliances.
• These block the signal, which shortens the range of the WLAN.
• If this still does not solve the problem, then a Wi-Fi Range Extender or deploying the Powerline
wireless technology may be used.

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Troubleshoot WLAN Issues
Updating Firmware
Most wireless routers and APs offer upgradable firmware that should be periodically
verified.

On a WLC, there will most likely be the ability to upgrade the firmware on all APs that the
WLC controls.
• In the figure, the firmware image that will
be used to upgrade all the APs is
downloaded.
• On a Cisco 3504 Wireless Controller,
click WIRELESS > Access Points >
Global Configuration and then scroll to
the bottom of the page for the AP Image
Pre-download section.

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Troubleshoot WLAN Issues
Packet Tracer – Troubleshoot WLAN Issues
In this Packet Tracer, you will complete the following objectives:
• Troubleshoot wireless LAN connectivity issues in a home network.
• Troubleshoot wireless LAN connectivity issues in an enterprise network.

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