With the complexity of today’s networks, it is important to adhere to a troubleshooting model
to aid in efficiently and effectively isolating and resolving network problems.
Various methods of problem isolation and the troubleshooting method itself help administrators
pinpoint problem areas and foresee future trouble. Troubleshooting skills are gained
through experience. It is unreasonable to expect that you can jump in on your first network failure
and be able to solve it quickly. Experience is the best teacher. Following a problem-solving
model helps you to reach a timely solution to network failures. It helps to know your network,
but the “shooting-from-the-hip” style of troubleshooting is nowhere near as effective as a
methodical and logical proces
Using the three steps of the Cisco troubleshooting model in order is a clear, calculated, and
logical way to make a network run more smoothly. The three methods of problem isolation
(bottom-up, top-down, and divide-and-conquer) are more subjective, and it is up to each individual
to use the appropriate method for the problem that they are facing. It is important to document
changes so you have a trail of what was done on the network. Finally, it’s important to
reverse any network alterations that did not correct the problem.