Lab 7.6.3 Network Discovery

Estimated time: 20 min.

Objectives:

- Use Network Inspector (or equivalent) software problem logging function to monitor network management information such as errors, warnings and changes.

Background:

Network Management is an important part of a networking professional's responsibilities. One of the most common network management tasks is keeping track of IP addresses. You have been reading about IP addresses and subnets. The Network Analysis software will allow you to get the "big picture" of how IP addresses are assigned on your networks and subnetworks. It will also allow you to access detailed information from the problem log for errors (such as incorrect subnet mask), warnings (such as incorrect IP address), and changes (such as IP address change).

Tools / Preparation:

> Each PC must be running Windows 95, 98, or NT, Microsoft TCP/IP stack, and Winsock 2.0. Fluke Network Inspector 3.0 (or equivalent) must be installed on each PC. During the installation of the software you must specify which network adapter (NIC, dial-up, etc.) you wish to monitor – specify the NIC which attaches the PC to an Ethernet. The PCs should be on either a 10BASE-T or 100BASE-TX Ethernet network which preferably includes servers, switches, routers, and printers (this will make the network discovery more interesting). The following resources will be required:

> - PC with Windows 95, 98, or NT, Microsoft TCP/IP stack, and Winsock 2.0.
> - Fluke Network Inspector 3.0 Software

Worksheet

> 1. Make sure you are connected to the network. How can you verify this?
> 2. Log into network inspector agent, set database tab to overwrite, and start the agent running.
> 3. Open network inspector console, watch until network discovery appears to have stopped. Stop agent.
> 4. Go to Help à About the problem log and troubleshooting problems à errors, warnings and changes that can be discovered – does a list appear?
> 5. Review the list. Choose 3 errors, 3 warnings, and 3 changes that you believe are important and describe them in your own words.
> 6. Return to database view. Are there any errors, warnings, and changes that have appeared? If you instructor tells you so, try starting and stopping the agent again, rediscovering the network, and seeing if the instructor has caused any errors, warnings, or changes. Note these changes in your journal.
> 7. Can you draw a topology of the network based on the IP addresses and subnetwork information obtained? Go ahead and try.

Reflection:

> Imagine you are a network administrator. Describe how this software would be useful to you.