Chapter 3: Preparing A Troubleshooting Plan - Avaya Virtual Services Platform 7000 Series Troubleshooting Manual

Chapter 3: Preparing a troubleshooting
You can help make the troubleshooting process for a switch or network problem as efficient and
effective as possible by preparing a troubleshooting plan for these events in advance.
Use the following steps to help you minimize the occurrence of circumstances that require
troubleshooting and to develop a troubleshooting plan:
1. Know where to get information as you need it by reviewing the Documentation Roadmap
Reference for Avaya Virtual Services Platform 7000 Series, NN47202–103 to become
familiar with the documentation set.
2. Ensure your system is properly installed and routinely maintained.
3. Assemble and keep up to date the site map, logical connections, device configuration
information, and other data that you can require for troubleshooting.
• A site network map identifies where each device is physically located at your site, which
helps locate the users and applications that are affected by a problem. You can use the
site network map to systematically search each part of your network for problems.
• Know how your devices are connected logically and physically with virtual local area
networks (VLAN).
• Maintain online and paper copies of your device configuration information. Ensure that all
online data is stored with the regular data backup for your site. If your site has no backup
system, copy the information to a backup medium, and store the backup off site.
• Store passwords in a safe place. A good practice is to keep records of your previous
passwords in case you must restore a device to a previous software version. If you restore
a device to a previous software version, you need to use the password that was valid for
that version.
• A good practice is to maintain a device inventory, which lists all devices and relevant
information for your network. Use this inventory to easily see the device types, IP
addresses, ports, MAC addresses, and attached devices.
• If your hubs or switches are not managed, keep a list of the MAC addresses that correlate
to the ports on your hubs and switches.
• Maintain a change-control system for all critical systems and permanently store change-
control records.
July 2015
plan
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Troubleshooting Avaya VSP 7000 Series
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