What to Do After Establishing a Probable Cause in Network Troubleshooting

A network technician is troubleshooting an issue and has established a theory of probable cause.

Which of the following steps should the network technician take NEXT?

A.

Test the possible solution

B.

Question the users

C.

Determine what has changed

D.

Document the theory.

A.

When troubleshooting a network issue, a network technician will often follow a series of steps to diagnose the problem and determine a solution. One of the key steps in this process is establishing a theory of probable cause, which involves identifying a potential root cause for the problem based on the information available. Once this theory has been developed, the technician can take a number of different steps to verify the theory and ultimately resolve the issue.

Of the options provided, the next step that the network technician should take after establishing a theory of probable cause is to test the possible solution (Option A). This involves implementing the potential solution that the technician has identified and evaluating whether it resolves the issue.

It's important to note that testing the possible solution may involve a range of different actions, depending on the nature of the problem and the proposed solution. For example, the technician may need to adjust network settings, replace a faulty device, or troubleshoot connectivity issues. The goal is to verify that the theory of probable cause is accurate and that the identified solution effectively addresses the issue.

Before testing the possible solution, however, the technician may also want to document the theory (Option D) so that they have a clear record of the problem and the proposed solution. This can be helpful for future troubleshooting efforts, as well as for communicating with other members of the IT team.

Questioning users (Option B) can also be an important step in the troubleshooting process, as it can provide additional information about the nature and scope of the issue. However, this step would typically be taken earlier in the troubleshooting process, before a theory of probable cause has been established.

Similarly, determining what has changed (Option C) is an important step in troubleshooting, as it can help to identify potential causes for the issue. However, this step would also typically be taken earlier in the process, as part of the initial investigation into the problem.

In summary, when troubleshooting a network issue, a network technician should follow a series of steps to diagnose the problem and determine a solution. Once a theory of probable cause has been established, the next step is typically to test the possible solution, in order to verify the theory and resolve the issue.