Network Device Troubleshooting

Correct Answer: The DHCP server's scope and lease availability

To determine why devices are not receiving IP addresses from the DHCP server, the administrator should first verify the DHCP server scope and lease availability to ensure there are available IP addresses for assignment.

Correct Answer: Add an additional access point closer to the area

The best solution is to add an additional access point closer to the office area experiencing slow Wi-Fi connectivity. Wi-Fi signal strength diminishes with distance, so having an access point nearer to the affected area will improve the signal strength and speed up the connection. Replacing the user's Wi-Fi card would not address the root cause of the issue, which is the distance from the access point. Rebooting the nearest access point might temporarily resolve the issue but does not provide a long-term solution. Decreasing the Wi-Fi network channel bandwidth would actually slow down the connection further, exacerbating the problem rather than resolving it.

Correct Answer: Check the switch's log files for error messages

The best first step in diagnosing a network switch that is dropping packets is to check the switch's log files for error messages. This approach is the most logical and efficient for several reasons: 1. Log files provide valuable information: They often contain detailed error messages, warnings, and system events that can pinpoint the root cause of the packet dropping issue. 2. Non-intrusive method: Checking log files doesn't require any changes to the network configuration or hardware, making it a safe first step. 3. Time-efficient: It's a quick process that can potentially reveal the problem without needing to try other more time-consuming troubleshooting steps. 4. Helps guide further actions: The information in the logs can help determine the next steps in the troubleshooting process if needed. The other options are not ideal as first steps: Replacing the switch with a new one is an extreme measure that should only be considered after other troubleshooting steps have been exhausted. Updating the firmware is a more invasive step that could potentially introduce new issues and should only be done if there's a known bug that the update addresses. Performing a power cycle might temporarily resolve some issues but doesn't address the root cause and should be considered only after checking logs and other non-intrusive methods have been attempted.