Experiment - 81 :- Troubleshooting an Integrated Wired Device on a Wireless Network

 

Aim : Troubleshooting an Integrated Wired Device on a Wireless Network

Objective:

To diagnose and resolve connectivity issues of a wired device integrated into a wireless network environment.

Equipment Required:

• Wired device (e.g., desktop PC, printer, or IoT device)
• Wireless router/access point
• Ethernet cable
• Laptop or mobile device (for network testing)
• Network tools/software (e.g., ping, ipconfig/ifconfig, traceroute, network scanner)

Procedure:

1. Verify Physical Connections:

• Ensure the wired device is properly connected to the network switch/router via Ethernet cable.
• Check if the Ethernet cable is securely plugged in and intact.
• Confirm that the router or switch port shows link/activity lights indicating a physical connection.    
  

1. Check IP Configuration of the Wired Device:

• On the wired device, check the IP settings:
• For Windows: Run ipconfig in Command Prompt.
• For Linux/macOS: Run ifconfig or ip addr.
• Confirm the device has a valid IP address within the wireless network’s subnet.

2. Ping Test:

• Ping the wireless router’s IP address from the wired device to check connectivity.

ping [router IP address]

• Ping another known device on the wireless network.
• Ping an external website (e.g., ping google.com) to verify internet access. 

Check Router Settings:

• Access the router’s admin panel via a wireless device.
• Verify that the DHCP server is active and running.
• Check if the wired device’s MAC address is allowed/not blocked.
• Ensure no IP conflicts in the DHCP pool.

Test Network Sharing and Services:

• If the wired device serves a role (e.g., printer or shared storage), test access from a wireless client.
• Verify firewall settings on the device and router to ensure ports/services are not blocked.

Reset Network Hardware:

• Restart the wired device.
• Reboot the router and any switches.
• Reconnect the Ethernet cable.

Advanced Troubleshooting:

• Use traceroute to detect network hops and pinpoint latencies or failures.
• Use a network scanner to see if the device appears on the network.
• Check logs on the router and device for error messages.

Observations:

Document whether each step passes or fails, the IP addresses found, ping results, and any error messages.

Conclusion:

Based on observations, identify the cause of the issue (e.g., physical connection problem, IP misconfiguration, router block) and apply the appropriate fix. Confirm resolution by successful network communication to/from the wired device.