Pathworks Network Troubleshooting Guide Aug91

This document is the "PATHWORKS Network Troubleshooting Guide," published by Digital Equipment Corporation in August 1991. It is designed to assist network administrators in diagnosing and resolving issues within PATHWORKS networks, supporting various operating systems including VMS (Version 4.1), ULTRIX (Version 1.1), OS/2 (Version 1.1), and DOS (Version 4.1).

The guide is systematically divided into four main parts, each focusing on a different network transport protocol:

1. DECnet Transport:

   • Tools: Details the use of Network Control Program (NCP) for configuration, control, monitoring, and testing network components, including specific Token Ring diagnostics.
   • Problem Isolation: Provides flowcharts and step-by-step procedures for troubleshooting DECnet issues on VMS, ULTRIX, OS/2, and DOS servers and clients. This includes procedures for hardware and configuration, loop tests (Executor, Line Controller, Node, Circuit), and network connection.
   • Messages: Lists and explains common DECnet event messages and symptoms (e.g., Aborted Service Request, Adjacency Rejected/Up, Asynchronous DECnet Problems, Babbling Device, Broadcast Storm, Circuit State Problems, Connect Failed, Device Not Mounted, Dialup, Insufficient Resources, Invalid Parameter, LAN Bridge Cannot Downline Load, LAN Segment Communication Problem, Line Synchronization Lost, Login Information Invalid, Network Object Unknown, Network Partner Exited, Node Out of Range Packet Loss, Partial Routing Update Loss, Partitioned Area, Permission Denied, Remote Node Is Not Currently Reachable, Verification Reject) along with PC-based messages.

2. Transmission Control Program and Internet Protocol (TCP/IP):

   • Tools: Describes TCP/IP troubleshooting tools for VMS, ULTRIX, and DOS, including log files, LOOP command, Installation Verification Procedure (IVP), arp command, netstat command, and ping command.
   • Problem Isolation: Offers flowcharts and procedures for isolating TCP/IP problems on VMS, ULTRIX, and DOS servers and clients, covering transport, file server, remote printing, and hardware/configuration issues.
   • Messages: Explains server-based and client-based TCP/IP messages, including load/initialization and FTP errors, with their causes and recommended actions.

3. Local Area Transport (LAT):

   • Tools: Introduces LAT Control Program (LATCP), LAN Traffic Monitor (LTM), and Terminal Server Manager (TSM) for configuring, managing, and troubleshooting LAT networks.
   • Problem Isolation: Features flowcharts and detailed procedures for resolving LAT problems on VMS, ULTRIX, DOS, and OS/2 clients and servers, covering common issues like inability to connect, lost connections, character loss, memory usage, and terminal server connection failures.
   • Messages: Provides explanations for DOS and OS/2 client messages related to LAT.

4. Local Area System Transport (LAST):

   • Tools: Covers the use of LASTCP on VMS, OS/2, and DOS for controlling and displaying information about the LAST driver.
   • Problem Isolation: Includes flowcharts and procedures for VMS, DOS, and OS/2 clients and servers, focusing on disk, file, and print services over LAST.
   • Messages: Lists and explains LAST-related messages generated on VMS, DOS, and OS/2.

The document also includes Appendixes on routing layer events, tuning the DOS client, Ethernet configuration guidelines, and Token Ring concepts, as well as a Glossary of terms. The troubleshooting approach emphasizes using flowcharts to isolate problems, followed by specific step-by-step procedures and explanations of error messages.