Pathway Core Element 3 – Fault analysis and problem resolution

Introduction

This section of the specification presents an opportunity to develop an understanding that of

fault management and see that it is the component of network management concerned with
detecting, isolating and resolving problems. Properly implemented, network fault management
can keep connectivity, applications and services running at an optimum level, provide fault
tolerance and minimize downtime. Platforms or tools designed specifically for this purpose are
called fault management systems.

Faults result from malfunctions or events that interfere with, degrade or obstruct service
delivery. Examples of faults include hardware failure, connectivity loss or port status change.
Once a fault is detected, the management platform notifies the administrator (and any
additional authorized or designated parties) using an alarm or alert. These notifications can be
viewed in the fault management system's GUI and many platforms now can forward these
alerts via email, SMS and/or a mobile app.

In addition, network fault management systems may be configured to automatically resolve or

even prevent certain events using programs and scripts.

Textbook
Digital T Level: Digital Support Services

Written by highly respected authors, this clear, accessible and thorough textbook will guide learners through
the key principles, concepts and terminology, as well as providing the inside track into what it takes to kick-
start a career in the Digital world.

- Simplify complex topics with summary tables, diagrams, key term definitions and a glossary.
- Track and strengthen knowledge by using learning outcomes at the beginning of every unit and 'Test
Yourself' questions.
- Apply knowledge and understanding across 100s of engaging activities and research tasks.

https://www.amazon.co.uk/Digital-Level-Support-Services-Business/dp/1398346799/
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eBook: Computer Repair With Diagnostic Flowcharts (P3.1)

eBook: Ch 16 Network Monitoring (P3.1)

Free Online Courses

System administration complete course from beginner to advanced (P3.1)

https://youtu.be/1DvTwuByjo0 

Discovering computer networks: hands on in the Open Networking Lab - OpenLearn - Open
University (P3.1)
https://www.open.edu/openlearn/science-maths-technology/computing-ict/discovering-computer-
networks-hands-on-the-open-networking-lab/content-section-overview?active-tab=description-tab 

Videos
The Windows Memory Diagnostic tool is a very useful utility for troubleshooting when the computer
begins running slowly, freezes, hangs, displays a blue screen or reboots on its own, and can help detect
problems with applications installed on the computer, whether caused by memory errors or not, (P3.1)

https://youtu.be/XQ-ts7oSHDU 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XQ-ts7oSHDU

Windows Reliability Monitor is a Windows application that assists you in the identification of software
issues in the Windows operating system that may affect the system performance and reliability. (P3.1)

https://youtu.be/Zpa0nP1xdxA 

The Microsoft Windows Performance Monitor is a tool that administrators can use to examine how
programs running on their computers affect the computer's performance. The tool can be used in real
time and also be used to collect information in a log to analyze the data at a later time. (P3.1)

https://youtu.be/CagTiRYmj58 

External Links
Reliability Monitor tracks the history of your computer — any time an application crashes, hangs, or
Windows gives you a blue screen of death. It also tracks other important events, like when software is
installed, or Windows Updates loads a new patch. (P3.1)

https://www.howtogeek.com/166911/reliability-monitor-is-the-best-windows-troubleshooting-tool-
you-arent-using/

https://techcommunity.microsoft.com/t5/ask-the-performance-team/using-reliability-monitor-for-
troubleshooting/ba-p/372962

An essential system security and administration tool that automatically checks on device
settings. The NCM will gather all device configurations, allow the creation of standard settings,
and ensure that any unauthorized changes are immediately rolled back

https://www.solarwinds.com/network-configuration-manager?a_bid=082b0b8c&CMP=BIZ-
PAP-CMPRTCH-NCM_Overview-NCM-
LM&data1=81905&data2=list_dd_d__post__81905&a_aid=BIZ-PAP-CMPRTCH
If your computer’s RAM is faulty, this can cause problems. Your computer will save data to RAM and will
find different data when it goes to read the RAM. This can lead to application crashes, system freezes,
blue screens of death (BSODs), data corruption, and other problems. (P3.1)

https://www.howtogeek.com/260813/how-to-test-your-computers-ram-for-problems/
#:~:text=To%20launch%20the%20Windows%20Memory,computer%20to%20perform%20the
%20test.

Guidance from the National Cyber Security Centre on how organisations can protect
themselves in cyber space. (P3.4)

https://www.ncsc.gov.uk/collection/10-steps/incident-management 

CompTia: A Guide to Network Troubleshooting: Basic Steps, Tips and Tools (P3.1)
https://www.comptia.org/content/guides/a-guide-to-network-troubleshooting 

5 Most Common Enterprise Network Problems & How to Fix Them (P3.1)

https://www.redcentricplc.com/wan/5-most-common-enterprise-network-problems-how-to-
fix-them/ 

Basic Network Troubleshooting Steps and Tools (P3.1)

https://www.softwaretestinghelp.com/network-troubleshooting-steps-tools/ 

Informational Technology Service Management (P3.2)

https://uk.indeed.com/career-advice/career-development/what-is-itsm
ITSM (P3.2)

https://www.techtarget.com/searchitoperations/definition/ITSM

IT Incident Management (P3.2)

https://www.techtarget.com/searchitoperations/definition/IT-incident-management

Root Cause Analysis (RCA) in IT (P3.3)

https://www.bmc.com/blogs/root-cause-analysis/

Incident Management (P3.4)

https://www.ncsc.gov.uk/collection/10-steps/incident-management

Incident Management Principles (P3.4)

http://www.riskavengers.co.uk/blog/2016/9/6/incident-management-principles-by-toni-sless

ITIL Incident Management: An Introduction (P3.4) (P3.5)

https://www.bmc.com/blogs/itil-v3-incident-management/

The 5 processes of ITIL service strategy (P3.4) (P3.5)

https://www.lucidchart.com/blog/5-processes-of-itil-service-strategy

The 5 stages of ITIL (P3.4) (P3.5)

https://www.itgovernance.co.uk/blog/the-5-stages-of-itil

Interactive resource
Not always applicable

Software downloads
LogicMonitor provides a complete view of your network so you can quickly identify and
troubleshoot network issues. With powerful visualizations and custom dashboards, you can
rapidly understand how your systems are connected and what issues are impacting
performance. (P3.1)

https://www.logicmonitor.com/lp/automated-network-monitoring?utm_medium=paid-
search&utm_source=google&utm_term=na&utm_content=na&utm_campaign=2021-Paid-
Search_Google-
AW_Search_Network&gclid=EAIaIQobChMIv6e3nfvj9gIVcoBQBh0DQQtWEAAYASAAEgIR6fD_
BwE