Understanding Problems
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Understanding Problems

The following self-questions can be used to get a better idea on the nature of the problem:
• Has this functionality ever worked?
• What changes have occurred in the network? Was software upgraded? Were device(s)
added?
• Are all users affected or are the problems related to a single port, module, or switch?
• Are statistics (as reported by UI commands such vs, ve, bps, and rmon) incrementing on the
affected port(s)?
• Are all protocols (routed or switched) failing?
• Can the affected device be successfully pinged via IP/IPX?
• Can a trace be captured on the affected segment(s)?
• Is an external analyzer, such as a Sniffer or Alcatel’s Port Mirroring/Port Monitoring, avail-
able?
This chapter provides documentation on some common problems and potential solutions for
problems with your switch in the sections that follow.

Software Installation Problems

If you encounter problems during software installation, most likely you will see error
messages that indicate the problem.
If you cannot install the software, you can use the Boot Line prompt to download files via
ZMODEM or a computer attached to a SLIP line. You can also temporarily set boot parameters
and load from Boot Line in an attempt to load under different settings (refer to Appendix A,
“The Boot Line Prompt”). For more information about loading software via ZMODEM, refer to
Chapter 5, “Installing Switch Software.”