Personal Computer Troubleshooting Guidelines

Personal Computer Troubleshooting is a method of finding the cause of a problem and correcting it. The ultimate goal of troubleshooting is to get the equipment back into operation. This is a very important job because the entire production operation may depend on the troubleshooter's ability to solve the problem quickly and economically, thus returning the equipment to service. Although the actual steps the troubleshooter uses to achieve the ultimate goal may vary, there are a few general guidelines that should be followed. There are often cases where a familiar piece of equipment or system breaks down. In those cases, an abbreviated five-step troubleshooting process can be used to find the fault, get the system up and running. It is important to note that, although it is a five-step approach, the same basic guidelines of the seven-step troubleshooting method are followed. The steps are simply combined to be specific to the problem at hand. This article will briefly cover the five-step troubleshooting process, followed by a more in-depth look at the seven-step troubleshooting process.

General Troubleshooting Guidelines

The general guidelines for a good troubleshooter to follow are:

Use a clear and logical approach

• Work quickly
• Work efficiently
• Work economically
• Work safely and exercise safety precautions

  Troubleshooting Steps

  The five-step troubleshooting process consists of the following:
  1. Verify that a problem actually exists.
  2. Isolate the cause of the problem.
  3. Correct the cause of the problem.
  4. Verify that the problem has been corrected.
  5. Follow up to prevent future problems.

What is MultiProtocol Label Switching (MPLS)?

1.MPLS Connection Multi protocol Label Switching (MPLS) is a mechanism in high-performance telecommunications networks that directs data from one network node to the next based on short path labels rather than long network addresses, avoiding complex lookups in a routing table. It is a mechanism used to transfer data across large data/voice/video networks. Each packet entering an MPLS network is labeled with a locally significant MPLS label. As the packet passes through the MPLS network, label is replaced with another label or stripped off. The network distributes information so that each switch knows what it is supposed to do if it encounters a particular label by simply looking up the MPLS table. Thus, the router functionality is reduced to switch functionality, speeding up the data transfer significantly. MPLS is a packet-forwarding technology which uses labels to make data forwarding decisions. The biggest advantage using MPLS is that the Layer 3 header analysis is done just once (when the packet enters the MPLS domain). Intermediate routers will not analyze the IP packet, thus saving valuable router resources, and greatly increasing the speed at which packets are forwarded. Label inspection drives subsequent packet forwarding. Further MPLS supports following applications: Virtual Private Networking (VPN) Traffic Engineering (TE) Quality of Service (QoS) Any Transport over MPLS (AToM) Additionally, it decreases the forwarding overhead on the core routers. MPLS technologies are applicable to any network layer protocol 2.How MPLS works Multi-Protocol Label Switching (MPLS) converts routed network to something closer to a switched network and offers information transfer speeds that are not available in a traditional IP-routed network. Instead of forwarding packets on a hop-by-hop basis, paths are established for particular source-destination pairs. The predetermined paths that make MPLS work are called label-switched paths (LSPs). Routers in a LSP: Each router in LSP performs the following functions. Ingress router-the router at the beginning of an LSP. This router encapsulates IP packets with an MPLS Layer 2 frame and forwards it to the next router in the path. Each LSP can have only one ingress router. Egress router-The router at the end of an LSP. This router removes the MPLS encapsulation, thus transforming it from an MPLS packet to an IP packet, and forwards the packet to its final destination using information in the IP forwarding table. Each LSP can have only one egress router. The ingress and egress routers in an LSP cannot be the same router. Transit router-any intermediate router in the LSP between the ingress and egress routers. Transit router forwards received MPLS packets to the next router in the MPLS path. An LSP can contain zero or more transit routers, up to a maximum of 253 transit routers in a single LSP.

What is wan on router?

A network device designed to forward packets to an external network such as the Internet. Routers are used to direct traffic to a network outside of the one they reside in. However, when routers are used within an enterprise to separate subnetworks, they are called "routers" or possibly "core routers," but not WAN routers. The routers that make up the backbone of the Internet are "core routers." See router, core router and edge router.

(Wide Area Network port) The socket on a network device that is wired to an external network, which is typically the Internet. In the home and small business, a WAN port is an RJ-45 Ethernet port on a router that is wired to a cable or DSL modem. On small routers, the WAN port may be labeled simply "Internet." In the larger enterprise, a WAN port may hook up to a T3 line or other wide area network service. Contrast with LAN port. See RJ-45.

A wide area network (WAN) is a telecommunications network that extends over a large geographical area for the primary purpose of computer networking. Wide area networks are often established with leased telecommunication circuits.

Business, as well as education and government entities use wide area networks to relay data to staff, students, clients, buyers and suppliers from various locations across the world. In essence, this mode of telecommunication allows a business to effectively carry out its daily function regardless of location. The Internet may be considered a WAN.

Similar types of networks are personal area networks (PANs), local area networks (LANs), campus area networks (CANs), or metropolitan area networks (MANs) which are usually limited to a room, building, campus or specific metropolitan area, respectively.

Drive Test Jobs Importance In Telecom

Drive testing is a method of measuring and assessing the coverage, capacity and Quality of Service (QoS) of a mobile radio network.

The technique consists of using a motor vehicle containing mobile radio network air interface measurement equipment that can detect and record a wide variety of the physical and virtual parameters of mobile cellular service in a given geographical area.

By measuring what a wireless network subscriber would experience in any specific area, wireless carriers can make directed changes to their networks that provide better coverage and service to their customers.

Drive testing^[1] requires a mobile vehicle outfitted with drive testing measurement equipment. The equipment are usually highly specialized electronic devices that interface to OEM mobile handsets. This ensures measurements are realistic and comparable to actual user experiences.

Drive test equipment typically collects data relating to the network itself, services running on the network such as voice or data services, radio frequency scanner information and GPS information to provide location logging.

The data set collected during drive testing field measurements can include information such as:^[2]

• Signal intensity
• Signal quality
• Interference
• Dropped calls
• Blocked calls
• Anomalous events
• Call statistics
• Service level statistics
• Quality of Service information
• Handover information
• Neighboring cell information
• GPS location co-ordinates

How To Become A Drive Tester

Most quality control inspectors need a high school diploma and receive on-the-job training that typically lasts as little as 1 month or up to 1 year.

Education & Training

Education and training requirements vary with the responsibilities of the quality control worker. For inspectors who do simple pass/fail tests of products, a high school diploma and some in-house training are generally enough. Workers usually receive on-the-job training that typically lasts for as little as 1 month or up to 1 year.

Candidates for inspector jobs can improve their chances of finding work by studying industrial trades in high school or in a postsecondary vocational program. Laboratory work in the natural or biological sciences also may improve a person’s analytical skills and increase their chances of finding work in medical or pharmaceutical labs, where many of these workers are employed.

Training for new inspectors may cover the use of special meters, gauges, computers, and other instruments; quality control techniques such as Six Sigma; blueprint reading; safety; and reporting requirements. Some postsecondary training programs exist, but many employers prefer to train inspectors on the job.

As manufacturers use more automated techniques that require less inspection by hand, workers in this occupation increasingly must know how to operate and program more sophisticated equipment and utilize software applications. Because these operations require additional skills, higher education may be necessary. To address this need, some colleges are offering associate’s degrees in fields such as quality control management.

For More: RF Drive Testers

RF Technician Certification Info

RF Technician Certification Summary

This online program has been designed for applications, production, manufacturing engineers and technicians as well as other professionals who need to have a solid background in the fundamentals of working with RF and wireless products. This four part program provides a thorough understanding of RF analytical tools, communications signals, RF devices and test instruments. Starting with basic analytical tools such as the decibel scale, S-parameters and the Smith Chart, this program covers test instrumentation, RF components, and modulation. A basic block diagram of a transmitter/receiver chain forms the backbone of the course outline. Each component is described, and the relative performance parameters defined. Key impairments are introduced as they become relevant to the operation of the system. Basic system calculations are covered, as well as modulation formats and multiple access techniques.

The self-paced program is divided into four parts, each consisting of pre-recorded self-paced lectures followed by custom online "workbooks" that contain a summary of formulas learned and practice exercise questions or measurement procedures. A bonus on-demand tutorial webcast in each part offers an additional perspective on a related topic of interest. Each part has a brief test as well. The program is equivalent to approximately 40 hours of training and students are given six months to complete the material. After finishing the program students will receive a signed certificate of completion.

Learning objectives

Upon completing the course you will be able to:

• work natively with dB values (without using a calculator)
• understand basic wave parameters and propagation
• appreciate the effects of parasitics on component behavior
• understand the effects of mismatches at RF
• create basic matching networks using the Smith Chart
• describe basic transmission line structures and input impedance
• interpret S-parameters from measurements and datasheets
• describe the basic function of spectrum analyzers, vector network analyzers, and power meters
• know the limitations on accuracy/uncertainty that affect all RF and high frequency measurements
• describe the operation of the main components of an RF transceiver system
• interpret key performance parameters such as P1dB, IP3, noise figure, etc.
• describe the modulation formats used to impress information onto the RF carrier
• understand the basic principles of multiple access techniques such as TDMA, CDMA, OFDMA

What is the job description of an rf engineer?

RF Technician Job Description

There are more or less two types of RF engineers, and I have worked as both. The first is an RF engineer working for a cellular operator. They use computer software to model and predict the RF performance of cellular systems, optimize the performance on newly built systems, and/or evaluate and adjust the RF performance of an existing system.

The second type of RF engineer works in R&D as either a board level design engineer, or similarly as a component engineer on a systems level. He or she may also, or instead, work in software developing code to model an RF system, or to actually do the digital signal processing within say a base station, wireless chipset, or other wireless device. Or this type of engineer may work more specifically on a systems level by specifying the design/performance parameters of specific RF components that are sent to other vendors for production.

Regardless of which type one is, expertise in some or most areas of mathematics, electrical engineering, computers, wireless protocols, wireless physical layer protocols, RF transmission lines, antennas, RF propagation, RF test/lab equipment, digital signal processing, wireless technologies and protocols, and simulation SW, to name a few, may be required and used in day to day activities.