Troubleshooting Mismatched Duplex Settings on a Network: Effects and Solutions

Effects of Mismatched Duplex Settings on Network Performance

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Question

A network engineer is investigating reports of poor network performance.

Upon reviewing a device configuration, the engineer finds that duplex settings are mismatched on both ends.

Which of the following would be the MOST likely result of this finding?

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Explanations

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A.

When two devices communicate on a network, they must negotiate how they will transmit and receive data. One of the parameters that are negotiated is the duplex mode. Duplex mode is the ability of a network device to send and receive data simultaneously on a network segment. There are two duplex modes: half-duplex and full-duplex.

In half-duplex mode, a device can either send or receive data at a time, but not both simultaneously. In full-duplex mode, a device can send and receive data at the same time. When two devices communicate with each other, they must be set to the same duplex mode. If the duplex modes of the two devices are different, a mismatch occurs, and this can lead to poor network performance.

The most likely result of duplex settings being mismatched on both ends is increased CRC errors. CRC (Cyclic Redundancy Check) errors occur when data transmitted over the network becomes corrupt. This can be caused by a variety of factors, including electrical interference, signal attenuation, and collisions. When duplex settings are mismatched, one device may be transmitting data while the other device is receiving data, leading to collisions and data corruption.

Increased giants and runts are also possible results of a duplex mismatch. Giants are packets that exceed the maximum allowed size for a network segment. Runts are packets that are smaller than the minimum allowed size for a network segment. These errors can occur when a device is set to half-duplex mode and is transmitting data while another device is also transmitting data. When the two signals collide, giants and runts can occur.

Switching loops can also be a result of a duplex mismatch, but this is less likely. Switching loops occur when there are multiple paths between two devices on a network. If a duplex mismatch occurs, it can cause the network to become unstable, leading to switching loops.

Increased device temperature is not likely to be a result of a duplex mismatch. The duplex mode setting does not affect the temperature of a device.

In summary, the most likely result of a duplex mismatch is increased CRC errors, which can lead to poor network performance.