Troubleshooting Network Communications

Communications issues may occur on Windows and with Windows-based clients.

Network software involves several different components, increasing the likelihood of problems. Although we provide some tips concerning network troubleshooting here, the primary source of assistance in network troubleshooting should be the documentation and technical support for your network communications software, as provided by your network communications software vendor.

Use diagnostic tools to obtain information you can use in diagnosing various conditions, including those described in the following sections.

• Ensuring that You are Using Compatible Protocols
  If you have more than one protocol stack installed on the client or server computer, you should ensure that the client and the database server are using the same protocol.
• Ensuring that You Have Current Drivers
  Old network adapter drivers are a common source of communication problems.
• Switching off Your Computer Between Reboots
  Some network adapter boards do not reset cleanly when you reboot the computer.
• Diagnosing Your Protocol Stack Layer by Layer
  If you are having problems getting your client application to communicate with a database server, you need to ensure that the client and the database server are using compatible protocol stacks.
• Testing a TCP/IP Protocol Stack
  If you are running under TCP/IP, there are several applications that you can use to test the compatibility of the client computer and server computer TCP/IP protocol stack.
• Diagnosing Wiring Problems
  Faulty network wiring or connectors can cause problems that are difficult to isolate.
• Checking Common Network Communications Problems
  Familiarize yourself with common network communications problems and their solutions.