Talk:Network Testing

Basic steps: 1. Plug in the network device to a power source. If there are power lights, make sure they come on. 2. If there is a reset button, press it for ~30 seconds to restore default settings. 3. Plug the network device in with Das Unternet. 4. With the system mouse, click "Test Network Device" on the top bar of the browser. This page should say, "It works!" Repeat Steps 3 and 4 for each existing ethernet port. 5. Unplug, affix a "Tested By" sticker with your initials, and place in the "4 Store" box on the shelf.

Divide documentation into these steps: Collect, Preparation and/or Evaluation, Testing, Routing

• include definitions of switch, router, hub, etc

There are several types of wired and wireless network devices. Among the most common wired network devices are:

• Hubs - a hub is a device that provides multiple ethernet ports for plugging in multiple wired devices into a network. From a technical standpoint, hubs are fairly simple: they take information that is received over one port and sends it back out over all the other ports. In order to work properly, a hub typically requires the existence of a device that manages and directs traffic somewhere on the network it is plugged into in order to work properly.
• Switches - a switch is essentially a hub that can better handle more information passing through it. Like a hub, a switch needs a device that manages traffic on a network in order to work properly.
• Routers - a router is a small computer, typically with a built-in network switch, that manages and directs traffic. A router can assign IP addresses to computers, pass their requests for information from computers to a gateway, and redirect incoming information from a gateway to a specific computer. A router itself is typically the central component of a home network.
• Gateways - a gateway is a device that allows you to connect networking devices to the Internet. Gateways typically only allow one connection for a network device, but newer ones have built-in routers and switches. Some may also create wireless networks. A cable or DSL Modem is a type of gateway.

When these devices are used together in a network, they are typically connected as such:

• Internet -> Gateway -> Router -> Switch or Hub -> Computer
• Internet -> Gateway -> Router -> Computer
• Internet -> Gateway -> Computer

Most wireless devices will be:

• Access points - an access point is a networking device that can take a wired network and turn it into a wireless network
• Bridges - a bridge is a device that can take a wireless network and turn it into a wired connection
• Routers - this is the same as a wired router except that it has an access point built into it.

When these devices are used together in a network that needs wireless connectivity, they are typically connected as such:

• Internet -> Gateway -> Wired Router -> Access Point -> Wireless Computer
• Internet -> Gateway -> Wired Router -> Access Point -> Bridge -> Wired Computer
• Internet -> Gateway -> Wireless Router -> Wireless Computer
• Internet -> Gateway -> Wireless Router -> Bridge -> Wired Computer

|- |width="25%" align="center"|STEPS |width="75%" align="center"|NOTES AND DETAILED INSTRUCTIONS |- | Collect and Sort || # All incoming network devices will be in the green tubs on the middle shelf of the Advanced Testing incoming shelves. They will need to be sorted.

1. Check the Whiteboard to see what the store does and doesn't need.
2. For items that are needed, match with a power supply (the necessary voltage and amperage should be written on the network device) and place in the blue tub labeled "Network Devices with Matching Power Adapters."
3. Recycle items that are not needed by the store.

|- | Check for Damage || If it's missing parts or visibly broken, recycle it. If there's dirt or grime wipe it down with a rag and some cleaning solution. |- | Check for Power On || #Grab a networking device and its attached power supply from the blue tub. Plug the device into a power source.

1. If there are power lights, make sure they come on.
2. If there is a reset button, press it for ~30 seconds to restore default settings.

|- | Test Networking || #Plug the network device in with Das Unternet. *NEVER PLUG A NETWORKING DEVICE INTO ANY OTHER ETHERNET CABLE!*

1. Open up an internet browser on the testing station system. With the system mouse, click "Test Network Device" on the top bar of the browser. This page should say, "It works!" Repeat for each existing ethernet port.

|- | Final Preparation || #Affix a "Tested By" sticker with your initials on the device.

1. Place in the "4 Store" box.
2. If it is the last device you're testing for the day, please clean up the testing station, putting away tools, cables and everything else. |}

we should have something about not selling things owned by the cable company!

We will be working on standardizing this documentation and updating the content. Elizabeth 17:46, 20 October 2010 (UTC)

eric's notes

you can put switch's in the regular network to test, the reason we use das INTERNET is because a router can confuse our network. switch's and hubs wont do that(though we might not wanna confuse our volunteers)

Note from Anthony: when checking each port, you can use the mouse to disconnect auto eth0 connection between each ethernet port you're testing, and then reconnect to it when you've plugged the cable into the next port.