Discover effective troubleshooting techniques to resolve the most common network hosting problems, ensuring uninterrupted connectivity and a smooth user experience.
The past few years have witnessed a significant increase in user dependency on network connectivity and systems. The landscape of network and programming infrastructures has been reshaped by modern technology, applications, and hosting services. These advancements have empowered users to accomplish various tasks with greater precision and efficiency, saving valuable time. Moreover, the exceptional performance of equipment and systems has fueled the demand for robust network connectivity.
However, despite these advancements, intermittent connectivity remains a major obstacle for many users. The root cause of this problem often lies in numerous hosting issues related to network infrastructure. Such issues can adversely impact program performance, leading to frustration and a poor user experience.
To mitigate these challenges, it is crucial for users to familiarize themselves with common network hosting issues and learn how to troubleshoot them. With that in mind, let’s explore some recurring problems and their potential solutions.
Problem 1: Duplicate and Static IP Address
In general, it is not possible for two systems to share the same IP (Internet Protocol) address. When an attempt is made to do so, it leads to “Address Already in Use” errors, causing a loss of network access. This situation commonly occurs when users introduce new devices to their network.
Solution:
To address this issue, it is advisable to disable the DHCP (Dynamic Host Configuration Protocol) server on the new device. Simply put, each router has its own DHCP configuration. If DHCP assigns an existing address (static IP) to a new device, it disrupts the network. By disabling this server, the connectivity of the initially connected device can be restored.
Additionally, users can take preventive measures to avoid IP conflicts in the future. One such step is to upgrade the router’s configuration and start assigning DHCP addresses from the top end of the subnet. This ensures that the lower addresses are available for other devices requiring static IPs.
Problem 2: IP Address Exhaustion
While IPv4 (Internet Protocol Version 4) provides a total of 4.3 billion addresses, each service provider is allocated a limited number of addresses based on anticipated demand. The increasing usage of smartphones, other devices, and the internet is likely to lead to address depletion. If a user’s system has an IP address starting with 169.x.x.x, it indicates that no address is currently available from the DHCP server.
Solution:
Understanding network hosting and its management can be overwhelming, particularly without the necessary IT infrastructure and knowledge. Therefore, it is advisable to seek assistance from IT managed service providers. They can help audit the network infrastructure, manage directory services for server access, and provide day-to-day troubleshooting. Additionally, they can remotely manage the infrastructure to ensure easy internet access and smooth performance.
Furthermore, users can consider investing in standalone routers or WiFi access points. This helps create a local pool of internal addresses, mitigating the risk of address exhaustion.
Problem 3: Unable to Connect to the Internet
If only a single workstation displays a “No internet” message when opening a web browser, while other systems on the network have seamless and healthy connectivity, it is a common issue that severely impacts the user experience.
Solution:
To troubleshoot this issue, users need to identify and eliminate potential communication barriers such as a weak WiFi connection, faulty cables, incorrect drivers, or a failing network card. It is also important to ensure that the network adapter is properly connected to the subnet, DNS servers, and has the correct IP configuration.
If the issue persists, it is worth checking the firewall software on the system to ensure that the required ports for external network connectivity are available.
Problem 4: DNS Configuration Issues
Issues such as “IP Address Could Not Be Found,” “The Network Path Cannot Be Found,” or “DNS Name Does Not Exist” indicate DNS configuration problems. To check DNS settings, users can utilize the “nslookup” command. Once the issue is confirmed, they can take the following steps to troubleshoot the error.
Solution:
The network device may be using its own DNS server instead of the server assigned by DHCP. Users should check the “IPv4” (TCP/IP) settings to identify an incorrect DNS server and select “Obtain DNS server address automatically.” Alternatively, users can consider modifying their network’s DHCP settings for the same purpose, particularly in busy network environments.
Conclusion:
These are some common network hosting problems that can disrupt the end user’s experience. It is important to familiarize oneself with the necessary measures to resolve these issues and enjoy uninterrupted network connectivity. Additionally, users can connect with managed service providers to leverage their expertise and benefit from their services.
