Sams Teach Yourself Network Troubleshooting in 24 Hours, Second Edition

Q&A

Q1:

C’mon, Jonathan! Network analysts spend years learning how to sift through protocol data. How do you expect me to learn this in an hour?

A1:

The key here is to limit the scope of what you’re learning. Although you’re perfectly capable of learning the various protocols and service nuances that underlie the everyday programs and services that you know and love, why would you want to? (That is, unless you need to.) Remember that protocol analyzers are simply an effective way for you to verify that which your black box troubleshooting skills have already shown you. Don’t get discouraged if you don’t understand everything you see on the decode screen—just remember: “Which of these things is not like the other?” and use a little common sense, ...