Troubleshooting network connectivity requires a methodical approach that spans every layer from physical cables to application responses. In this episode, we cover how to diagnose full end-to-end communication failures using a structured strategy. You’ll learn how to begin with Layer 1 cable checks, move through IP configuration and routing, and finally test DNS and application-level responses. By isolating each step in the communication chain, you can identify exactly where the problem begins.

We provide practical walkthroughs using tools like ping, traceroute, and netstat to uncover unreachable hops, dropped packets, or broken paths. This episode also explores how to test multiple hosts, confirm port availability, and avoid false assumptions caused by DNS or firewall misconfigurations. Whether you’re troubleshooting a local machine or tracking down remote access issues, these techniques form the backbone of real-world diagnostics.

In this episode, we explore Network Address Translation, commonly known as N A T, a core networking function used to mask internal IP addresses and facilitate internet access for multiple devices using a single public address. N A T is essential in modern networks due to the limited number of available I P version four addresses. You’ll learn how N A T modifies packet headers in real time, translating private I P addresses into routable ones while maintaining session integrity. The episode covers the different types of N A T—static, dynamic, and Port Address Translation—with examples that reinforce how each is applied in practical scenarios and exam questions.

We also discuss the security and operational advantages N A T provides, such as basic firewall-like behavior and network isolation. While not a security protocol itself, N A T contributes to defense by obscuring internal addressing schemes. You'll understand how N A T tables are maintained, how timeout values affect connections, and how troubleshooting can reveal misconfigured translations. Mastering N A T is vital for the Network Plus exam, particularly in topics related to I P addressing, routing, and internet gateway configuration.

DNS issues are notoriously deceptive—everything looks connected, but nothing loads. In this episode, we explore how DNS resolution works step by step and why it often causes issues that masquerade as general connectivity problems. You'll learn how to diagnose common failures like unreachable DNS servers, misconfigured DNS clients, and issues with recursive vs. authoritative name resolution. We also cover how split-horizon DNS and DNS forwarding can create internal resolution inconsistencies.

You’ll gain hands-on knowledge of how to use tools like nslookup, dig, and ping to isolate where the breakdown occurs. We discuss TTL expiration, DNS caching behavior, and how propagation delays can affect domain changes. DNS issues don’t just break websites—they break email, VPNs, updates, and more. By the end of this episode, you’ll be equipped to tackle one of the most common and critical troubleshooting challenges in any environment.

When clients can’t get an IP address, everything else breaks—and DHCP is often the culprit. This episode guides you through common Dynamic Host Configuration Protocol (DHCP) issues, including lease failures, scope exhaustion, and IP conflicts. You’ll learn how DHCP works from offer to acknowledgment and where the process breaks down. Misconfigured scopes, incorrect subnet masks, and rogue DHCP servers are all discussed as causes of intermittent or total network failure.

We also walk through diagnostic techniques like using ipconfig, checking event logs, and monitoring DHCP server statistics. You’ll understand how to recognize and fix duplicated addresses, renew client leases, and validate the correct assignment of DNS and gateway settings. This is an essential episode for anyone responsible for maintaining functional client access, especially in dynamic or wireless-heavy environments.

Wireless networks are designed for mobility, but when devices move between access points, things can go wrong. In this episode, we explore wireless roaming behavior and what happens when clients fail to transition smoothly between APs. You'll learn how sticky clients cling to weak signals instead of switching to stronger nearby access points, causing poor performance and dropped connections. We discuss how roaming thresholds, signal thresholds, and controller-based features like fast roaming can help improve user experience.

We also explain how to diagnose roaming issues using controller logs, signal maps, and client monitoring tools. Topics like 802.11k, 802.11r, and 802.11v are introduced to help you understand modern enhancements that support seamless handoffs. Whether you're designing for mobility or troubleshooting complaints about Wi-Fi performance in motion, this episode gives you the insights to support fast, reliable transitions across your wireless infrastructure.

Authentication problems are some of the most frustrating issues in wireless networking, and this episode breaks down why they happen and how to fix them. We begin by comparing WPA2 and WPA3, explaining their encryption methods, compatibility challenges, and common configuration pitfalls. You'll learn how PSK (pre-shared key) authentication works versus enterprise-level setups that use centralized RADIUS servers. Many connectivity issues stem from mismatched encryption settings, expired certificates, or client limitations.

We also walk through real-world examples of failed authentication attempts, such as clients looping through reconnection cycles, certificate validation errors, and RADIUS timeouts. Whether the cause is a misconfigured supplicant, expired key, or incorrect VLAN assignment, we show you how to trace the symptoms back to the source. For exam prep and on-the-job support, this episode strengthens your ability to isolate and resolve wireless security problems quickly and accurately.

Wireless networks introduce unique troubleshooting challenges that differ significantly from wired environments. In this episode, we focus on signal strength, interference, and channel planning as core issues affecting wireless performance. You’ll learn how RSSI and SNR influence the quality of a wireless connection, and how even a strong signal can perform poorly in a noisy environment. We also explain how improper placement of access points, antenna misalignment, and physical obstructions contribute to client dropouts and latency.

We then move on to channel conflicts, particularly in the 2.4 GHz band, where overlapping channels lead to contention and interference. You’ll learn how to identify and resolve these problems using Wi-Fi analyzers, heatmaps, and controller logs. We also discuss best practices for channel reuse, AP separation, and client load balancing. This episode is essential for diagnosing wireless problems that aren’t fixed by simply restarting the router.

Spanning Tree Protocol is one of the most vital tools for preventing switching loops, and this episode delivers a comprehensive walkthrough of how it works. You’ll learn about the original IEEE 802.1D STP protocol, including how root bridge elections work, how port roles are assigned, and what port states (blocking, listening, learning, forwarding) mean. We illustrate the entire STP process using simplified examples that clarify how switches avoid creating loops while still providing redundancy.

Then we shift into Rapid Spanning Tree Protocol (RSTP), which improves upon traditional STP with faster convergence and streamlined port roles. You'll understand how RSTP simplifies the process, adds Edge Ports, and reacts quickly to topology changes. These protocols often show up on the exam and play a vital role in real-world switch design and recovery planning. If you’re managing redundant links or troubleshooting port behavior, this episode gives you everything you need to speak STP fluently.

Switches are powerful, but when misconfigured or misunderstood, they can wreak havoc. This episode focuses on some of the most damaging Layer 2 problems: switching loops, flooding conditions, and broadcast storms. You’ll learn how a single redundant connection without proper loop prevention can cause frames to circulate endlessly, consuming bandwidth and overwhelming devices. We explore how broadcast storms develop when multiple loops or improper configurations create unchecked traffic spikes, sometimes resulting in network-wide outages.

We also explain how to identify these problems in action, including telltale signs like high CPU usage on switches, duplicate frames, and connectivity blackouts. You’ll learn how protocols like Spanning Tree (STP) prevent these issues by designating blocking ports and electing a root bridge. We also introduce key protection features such as BPDU Guard, Loop Guard, and Root Guard. If you've ever had to ask "why is the network fine one minute and failing the next?"—this episode gives you the tools to answer with confidence.

Understanding switch behavior is key to mastering Layer 2 operations. This episode explains how switches handle Ethernet frames using three primary actions: flooding, learning, and forwarding. You’ll learn how switches build MAC address tables by examining the source address of each frame they receive, and how they use this information to intelligently forward traffic only to the intended destination port. We break down what happens when a switch receives traffic for an unknown destination, leading to flooding, and explain why this behavior is necessary in certain cases.

We also explore how switches deal with broadcasts and multicasts, and what conditions cause flooding to continue—such as aging timers expiring or MAC tables overflowing. Understanding this internal logic prepares you to interpret troubleshooting data from tools like show mac-address-table or packet captures. You'll also see how this behavior affects VLAN performance, Layer 3 communication, and overall network scalability. This is essential knowledge for resolving strange network behavior or implementing segmentation strategies.