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Question

Difficulty: EasyWired and Wireless Network Issues

A user reports that after relocating their desktop PC to a new cubicle, the computer cannot access the local network or the internet. A technician inspects the computer's network interface card (NIC) and notices that both the speed and activity LED link lights are completely unlit. Which of the following physical layer issues is MOST likely causing this problem?

  1. The Ethernet cable is disconnected or damaged.Answer
  2. B
    The client computer failed to receive a response from the DHCP server.
  3. C
    The primary DNS server IP address is configured incorrectly.
  4. D
    The network is experiencing 2.4 GHz wireless channel overlap.

Answer

The Ethernet cable is disconnected or damaged.
The complete absence of illuminated status LEDs on a wired network interface card (NIC) indicates a physical layer failure. This is most commonly caused by a disconnected, loose, broken, or unplugged Ethernet patch cable between the computer and the wall jack or network switch.

Step-by-Step Solution

1
Inspect the status of the network interface card (NIC) link lights.
Both the link light and activity light are unlit, indicating no physical electrical or optical signal connection.
Physical link lights require an active, intact physical connection to a powered network port to illuminate.
2
Identify the primary cause of an unlit NIC link light.
Determine that a disconnected, loose, or damaged Ethernet patch cable prevents Layer 1 signal transmission.
Layer 1 physical faults cut off the physical medium connection between the workstation NIC and the switch port.

Key Concept

Wired Network Physical Layer Diagnostics and Link Lights
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Topics

Wired and Wireless Network Issues

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