Basic Troubleshooting Routers and Hubs

A router or hub is the cornerstone of the average home network. An Ethernet hub, which has several Ethernet ports, lets users share folders and files among all of the computers connected to the home network. A router generally has a built-in hub and also has features that let it share a broadband Internet connection with the networked PCs. Routers also usually include other features, such as wireless connectivity and a hardware firewall that can protect your computers from many of the digital threats floating around the Web.

Because the router is the center of your network, many network problems can be traced back to it. A defective device, bad settings, old firmware, and firewall issues can all put your network on the blink. We’ll show you how to troubleshoot your router or hub so you can spot and fix common problems.

Know Your Model
To download the right updates, you’ll need to know the unit manufacturer and model number of your device. Many routers and hubs bear the model number on the front panel and other information, such as the serial number, on the bottom of the device.

How To Tell If The Router Or Hub Is The Problem
You can determine whether your router is the source of your network troubles by eliminating other network devices as the problem sources. Chances are, there are only a few potential troublemakers beyond your router:

• the connection from your Internet service provider to your home
• the broadband modem that translates the data from your phone or cable line
• the troubled network card

You can rule out the first two problem sources easily enough using the basic knowledge of networking. (Do bookmark this page too)

To determine whether your cable modem is the problem, you’ll need to reset it. If your cable modem or DSL modem doesn’t have a reset button, you can probably reset it by unplugging the power cord from the device for a few minutes. Once you plug the power cord back into the cable modem, it will try to reconnect to your ISP.

If the reset doesn’t solve the problem, call your ISP’s tech support hotline number. The representative will let you know if Internet access is down in your area and can test the connection from the ISP to your modem to make sure it’s working properly. The representative can probably even test your modem remotely, as well.

Once you’ve determined that the ISP and modem are not to blame, disconnect your computer from the router and instead plug the PC’s Ethernet cable directly into the modem. Be sure to enable your firewall software before you try this test, as you’ll bypass the router completely. If your computer can connect to the Internet, you’re looking at a router problem. If the PC still won’t connect to the Internet, you’ll need to troubleshoot the PC itself.

Learn An Introduction to Computer Networking and the Internet Video here.