Fault Management

Correct Answer: Identify the issue

The best first step in fault management is to 'Identify the issue.' This is because before any action can be taken, the administrator needs to understand what the problem is. Without proper identification of the problem, any actions taken might not solve the issue, or might even make it worse. For instance, 'Replacing all routers,' 'Switching to a different ISP,' or 'Upgrading all network hardware' can be extremely costly and time-consuming actions to undertake without concrete proof that they are the source of the latency increase. Hence, identification of the issue is the most effective and efficient first step in fault management. Once the problem has been effectively identified, the administrator can move on to more targeted and effective solutions.

Correct Answer: Check the error logs on switches and routers

Checking the error logs on switches and routers is the most informative step a network administrator can take to identify a specific problematic device in case of intermittent connectivity issues suspected to be caused by faulty hardware. Error logs can provide informative data about network events, including issues related to hardware. The logs can indicate which devices are experiencing problems and when and how these issues are occurring On the other hand, the following answers are not as effective: - Replacing all cables: This is not an efficient first step because not all connectivity issues are cable-related. It also consumes a lot of resources as it is expensive and time-consuming. It's more advisable to conduct a more thorough investigation to determine the specific cause of the problem before resorting to replacing cables - Running a latency test: Although a latency test can help determine the presence of network delays, it doesn’t necessarily pinpoint the specific device that is faulty. It may give an indication of a problem but doesn't efficiently diagnose hardware issues - Resetting all network configurations: This is a drastic measure that is highly disruptive. It should be the last resort after all other problem-solving approaches have been explored. Also, it would not directly point to the problematic device if the issue is hardware-related.

Correct Answer: Review performance monitoring data

In this situation, the best step for fault management would be to 'Review performance monitoring data'. This is because reviewing performance monitoring data allows the technician to examine server activity over time and identify any unusual patterns or behaviors. It provides the much-needed insight into what could be causing the erratic behavior of the application, aiding towards the troubleshooting process. 'Resetting the application' could disrupt the service temporarily and may not guarantee a solution if the issue lies elsewhere. 'Reinstalling the operating system' is a drastic step to take without checking other less disruptive options first, plus it may not solve the problem if it isn't caused by the operating system. Lastly, 'Checking for network cable damage' seems unrelated to application behaviour on the server, unless there are other signs of network issues, this should not be the first step in fault management.